Changes in internal stress distributions during yielding of square prismatic gold nano-specimens

We use molecular statics simulations with the tight-binding potential to analyze stress evolution in nanosize square prismatic gold specimens of different aspect ratios (length/width) deformed in either simple tension/compression or tension/compression. In the former case atoms on end faces are displaced axially but are free to move laterally, and in the latter case atoms on end faces are restrained from moving laterally during their axial displacement. It is found that the stress distribution in the unloaded reference configuration is nonuniform, and it satisfies the local and the global equilibrium equations. Large values of the von Mises stress and the maximum shear stress occur on atoms located at the third layer beneath the traction free surfaces forming different patterns for specimens loaded in tension and compression. The specimen is assumed to yield when its total strain energy drops noticeably. Maximum values of the von Mises stress and the maximum shear stress at yielding are essentially independent of specimen’s length for specimens deformed in tension. For specimens deformed in compression, wave-like patterns of stresses along the axial centroidal axis are observed when the specimen yields. 2010 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.