A discrete slip plane model for simulating heterogeneous plastic deformation in single crystals

In small-scale mechanical tests, such as micropillar compression plastic deformation is often localized in narrow slip traces. These traces result from a few dislocation sources with relatively low nucleation stresses that are present the material. order to accurately simulate experiments, stochastics of underlying network must be taken into account, which usually done by performing discrete dynamics simulations. However, their high computational cost generally restricts these simulations small and simple geometries applied displacements. Furthermore, effects geometrical changes neglected strain formulation adopted. this study, plane model for simulating experiments on single crystals proposed, takes most important characteristics plasticity micrometer range i.e. physics sources. model, properties all lattice planes sampled probability density function. This results heterogeneous flow stress within crystal, unlike uniform assumed conventional crystal formulations. Moreover, can grouped together bands via weakest-link principle. The resulting equations implemented standard finite element using formulation. Within setting, only collective motion glide modeled, significantly lower compared frameworks individual dislocations considered. allows multiple realizations 3D, up large deformations. A case study tests presented illustrate capabilities model.