Strain gradient crystal plasticity analysis of a single crystal containing a cylindrical void

The effects of void size and hardening in a hexagonal close-packed single crystal containing a cylindrical void loaded by a far-field equibiaxial tensile stress under plane strain conditions are studied. The crystal has three in-plane slip systems oriented at the angle 60° with respect to one another. Finite element simulations are performed using a strain gradient crystal plasticity formulation with an intrinsic length scale parameter in a non-local strain gradient constitutive framework. For a vanishing length scale parameter the non-local formulation reduces to a local crystal plasticity formulation. The stress and deformation fields obtained with a local non-hardening constitutive formulation are compared to those obtained from a local hardening formulation and to those from a non-local formulation. Compared to the case of the non-hardening local constitutive formulation, it is shown that a local theory with hardening has only minor effects on the deformation field around the void, whereas a significant difference is obtained with the non-local constitutive relation. Finally, it is shown that the applied stress state required to activate plastic deformation at the void is up to three times higher for smaller void sizes than for larger void sizes in the non-local material.     

基于线性互补模型的梯度塑性连续体无网格方法

对梯度塑性连续体提出了一个归结为线性互补问题的数值分析方法. 塑性乘子与位移均为主要未知变量,并采用基于移动最小二乘的无网格方法分别在积分点与节点上插值. 联立弱形式下的平衡方程与积分点上逐点满足的非局部本构方程和屈服准则可以导出一个线性互补问题,并通过Lexico-Lemke算法求解. 构造了一个基于N-R方法的迭代方案,使得不需要形成一致性切线刚度矩阵而仍保持二阶收敛性. 一维和二维的数值算例证明了所提出的方法处理由应变软化引起的应变局部化问题的有效性.      

Non-local continuum model and its numerical simulation for localization problem

A non-local continuum model for strain-softening simply taking plastic strain or damage variable as a non-local variable is derived by using the additive decomposition principle of finite deformation gradient. At the same time, variational equations, their finite element formulations and numerical convoluted integration algorithm of the model in current configuration usually called co-moving coordinate system are given. Stability and convergence of the model are proven by means of the weak convergence theorem of general function and the convoluted integration theory. Mathematical and physical properties of the characteristic size for material or structure are accounted for within the context of a statistical weighted or kernel function, and way is investigated. Numerical simulation shows that this model is suitable for to analyzing deformation localization problems. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 19632030).     

One plasticity model for problems of plastic metal working

Scalar and tensor models of plastic flow of metals extending plasticity theory are considered over a wide range of temperatures and strain rates. Equations are derived using the physico-phenomenological approach based on modern concepts and methods of the physics and mechanics of plastic deformation. For hardening and viscoplastic solids, a new mathematical formulation of the boundary-value plasticity problem taking into account loading history is obtained. Results of testing of the model are given. A numerical finite-element algorithm for the solution of applied problems is described. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 49, No. 6, pp. 159–169, November–December, 2008.     

平面刚架弹塑性大位移分析的多刚体离散元法

本文基于多刚体－弹簧系统模型，给出了求解平面刚架结构弹塑性、大位移极限承载力分析的多刚体离散元法。文中首先推导了多刚体离散元法在总体坐标下的切线刚度阵，建立多刚体离散元法的增量平衡方程；而后推导了多刚体离散元的弹塑性弹簧系数矩阵，建立了多刚体离散元内力屈服面塑性铰法的增量求解格式，成功地进行了平面钢框架的弹塑性、大位移极限承载力分析。计算结果与其他数值方法或实验结果吻合良好，显示了多刚体离散元方法进行结构极限承载力分析这一复杂问题的优越性     

Non-local crystal plasticity model with intrinsic SSD and GND effects

A strain gradient-dependent crystal plasticity approach is presented to model the constitutive behaviour of polycrystal FCC metals under large plastic deformation. In order to be capable of predicting scale dependence, the heterogeneous deformation-induced evolution and distribution of geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) are incorporated into the phenomenological continuum theory of crystal plasticity. Consequently, the resulting boundary value problem accommodates, in addition to the ordinary stress equilibrium condition, a condition which sets the additional nodal degrees of freedom, the edge and screw GND densities, proportional (in a weak sense) to the gradients of crystalline slip. Next to this direct coupling between microstructural dislocation evolutions and macroscopic gradients of plastic slip, another characteristic of the presented crystal plasticity model is the incorporation of the GND-effect, which leads to an essentially different constitutive behaviour than the statistically stored dislocation (SSD) densities. The GNDs, by their geometrical nature of locally similar signs, are expected to influence the plastic flow through a non-local back-stress measure, counteracting the resolved shear stress on the slip systems in the undeformed situation and providing a kinematic hardening contribution. Furthermore, the interactions between both SSD and GND densities are subject to the formation of slip system obstacle densities and accompanying hardening, accountable for slip resistance. As an example problem and without loss of generality, the model is applied to predict the formation of boundary layers and the accompanying size effect of a constrained strip under simple shear deformation, for symmetric double-slip conditions.     

Discrete and non-local elastica

In this paper, the buckling and post-buckling behavior of an elastic lattice system referred to as the discrete elastica problem is investigated using an equivalent non-local continuum approach. The geometrically exact post-buckling analysis of the elastic chain, also called Hencky system, is first numerically solved using the shooting method. This discrete physical model is also mathematically equivalent to a finite difference formulation of the continuum elastica. Starting from the exact difference equations of the discrete problem, a continualization method is applied for approximating the difference operators by differential ones, in order to better characterize the discrete system by an enriched continuous one. It is shown that the new continuum associated with the discrete system exactly fits the discrete elastica post-buckling problem, where the non-locality is of Eringen׳s type (also called stress gradient non-local model). An asymptotic expansion is performed for both the discrete and the non-local continuum models, in order to approximate the post-buckling branches of the discrete system. Some numerical investigations show the efficiency of the non-local approach, especially for capturing the scale effects inherent to the cell size of the lattice model.     

An investigation of the combined size and rate effects on the mechanical responses of FCC metals

The molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed with single-crystal copper blocks under simple shear to investigate the size and strain rate effects on the mechanical responses of face-centered cubic (fcc) metals. It is shown that the yield stress decreases with the specimen size and increases with the strain rate. Based on the theory of dislocation nucleation, a modified power law is proposed to predict the scaled behavior of fcc metals, which agrees well with the numerical and experimental data ranging from nanoscale to macro-scale. In the MD simulations with different strain rates, a critical strain rate exists for each single-crystal copper block of given size, below which the yield stress is nearly insensitive to the strain rate. A hyper-surface is therefore formulated to describe the combined size and strain rate effects on the plastic yield strength of fcc metals. The preliminary results presented in this paper demonstrate the potential of the proposed simple procedure for engineering design at various spatial and temporal scales.     

A non-local implicit gradient-enhanced model for unstable behaviors of pseudoelastic shape memory alloys in tensile loading

In this paper, a gradient-enhanced 3-D phenomenological model for shape memory alloys using the non-local theory is developed based on a 1-D constitutive model. The method utilizes a non-local field variable in its constitutive framework with an implicit gradient formulation in order to achieve results independent of the finite element discretization. An efficient numerical approach to implement the non-local gradient-enhanced model in finite element codes is proposed. The model is used to simulate stress drop at the onset of transformation, and its performance is evaluated using different experimental data. The potential of the presented numerical approach for behavior of shape memory alloys in eliminating mesh-dependent simulations is validated by conducting various localization problems. The numerical results show that the developed model can simulate the observed unstable behaviors such as stress drop and deviation of local strain from global strain during nucleation and propagation of martensitic phase.     

Atomistically informed dislocation dynamics in fcc crystals

We develop a nodal dislocation dynamics (DD) model to simulate plastic processes in fcc crystals. The model explicitly accounts for all slip systems and Burgers vectors observed in fcc systems, including stacking faults and partial dislocations. We derive simple conservation rules that describe all partial dislocation interactions rigorously and allow us to model and quantify cross-slip processes, the structure and strength of dislocation junctions, and the formation of fcc-specific structures such as stacking fault tetrahedra. The DD framework is built upon isotropic non-singular linear elasticity and supports itself on information transmitted from the atomistic scale. In this fashion, connection between the meso and micro scales is attained self-consistently, with all material parameters fitted to atomistic data. We perform a series of targeted simulations to demonstrate the capabilities of the model, including dislocation reactions and dissociations and dislocation junction strength. Additionally we map the four-dimensional stress space relevant for cross-slip and relate our findings to the plastic behavior of monocrystalline fcc metals.     

The Peierls stress in non-local elasticity

The effect of non-locality on the Peierls stress of a dislocation, predicted within the framework of the Peierls-Nabarro model, is investigated. Both the integral formulation of non-local elasticity and the gradient elasticity model are considered. A modification of the non-local kernel of the integral formulation is proposed and its effect on the dislocation core shape and size, and on the Peierls stress are discussed. The new kernel is longer ranged and physically meaningful, improving therefore upon the existing Gaussian-like non-locality kernels. As in the original Peierls-Nabarro model, lattice trapping cannot be captured in the purely continuum non-local formulation and therefore, a semi-discrete framework is used. The constitutive law of the elastic continuum and that of the glide plane are considered both local and non-local in separate models. The major effect is obtained upon rendering non-local the constitutive law of the continuum, while non-locality in the rebound force law of the glide plane has a marginal effect. The Peierls stress is seen to increase with increasing the intrinsic length scale of the non-local formulation, while the core size decreases accordingly. The solution becomes unstable at intrinsic length scales larger than a critical value. Modifications of the rebound force law entail significant changes in the core configuration and critical stress. The discussion provides insight into the issue of internal length scale selection in non-local elasticity models.     

Predicting the Hall–Petch effect in fcc metals using non-local crystal plasticity

Many conventional continuum approaches to solid mechanics do not address the size sensitivity of deformation to microstructural features like grain boundaries, and are therefore unable to capture much of the experimentally observed behavior of polycrystal deformation. We propose a non-local crystal plasticity model, in which the geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) density is calculated using a non-local integral approach. The model is based on augmented F^eF^p kinematics, which account for the initial microstructure (primarily grain boundaries) present in the polycrystal. With the augmented kinematics, the initial GND and the evolving GND state are determined in a consistent manner. The expanded kinematics and the non-local crystal plasticity model are used to simulate the tensile behavior in copper polycrystals with different grain sizes ranging from 14 μm to 244 μm. The simulation results show a grain size dependence on the polycrystal’s yield strength, which are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Nonlocal gradient-dependent modeling of plasticity with anisotropic hardening

This work addresses the formulation of the thermodynamics of nonlocal plasticity using the gradient theory. The formulation is based on the nonlocality energy residual introduced by Eringen and Edelen (1972). Gradients are introduced for those variables associated with isotropic and kinematic hardening. The formulation applies to small strain gradient plasticity and makes use of the evanescent memory model for kinematic hardening. This is accomplished using the kinematic flux evolution as developed by Zbib and Aifantis (1988). Therefore, the present theory is a four nonlocal parameter-based theory that accounts for the influence of large variations in the plastic strain, accumulated plastic strain, accumulated plastic strain gradients, and the micromechanical evolution of the kinematic flux. Using the principle of virtual power and the laws of thermodynamics, thermodynamically-consistent equations are derived for the nonlocal plasticity yield criterion and associated flow rule. The presence of higher-order gradients in the plastic strain is shown to enhance a corresponding history variable which arises from the accumulation of the plastic strain gradients. Furthermore, anisotropy is introduced by plastic strain gradients in the form of kinematic hardening. Plastic strain gradients can be attributed to the net Burgers vector, while gradients in the accumulation of plastic strain are responsible for the introduction of isotropic hardening. The equilibrium between internal Cauchy stress and the microstresses conjugate to the higher-order gradients frames the yield criterion, which is obtained from the principle of virtual power. Microscopic boundary conditions, associated with plastic flow, are introduced to supplement the macroscopic boundary conditions of classical plasticity. The nonlocal formulation developed here preserves the classical assumption of local plasticity, wherein plastic flow direction is governed by the deviatoric Cauchy stress. The theory is applied to the problems of thin films on both soft and hard substrates. Numerical solutions are presented for bi-axial tension and simple shear loading of thin films on substrates.     

Grain boundary interface mechanics in strain gradient crystal plasticity

Interactions between dislocations and grain boundaries play an important role in the plastic deformation of polycrystalline metals. Capturing accurately the behaviour of these internal interfaces is particularly important for applications where the relative grain boundary fraction is significant, such as ultra fine-grained metals, thin films and micro-devices. Incorporating these micro-scale interactions (which are sensitive to a number of dislocation, interface and crystallographic parameters) within a macro-scale crystal plasticity model poses a challenge. The innovative features in the present paper include (i) the formulation of a thermodynamically consistent grain boundary interface model within a microstructurally motivated strain gradient crystal plasticity framework, (ii) the presence of intra-grain slip system coupling through a microstructurally derived internal stress, (iii) the incorporation of inter-grain slip system coupling via an interface energy accounting for both the magnitude and direction of contributions to the residual defect from all slip systems in the two neighbouring grains, and (iv) the numerical implementation of the grain boundary model to directly investigate the influence of the interface constitutive parameters on plastic deformation. The model problem of a bicrystal deforming in plane strain is analysed. The influence of dissipative and energetic interface hardening, grain misorientation, asymmetry in the grain orientations and the grain size are systematically investigated. In each case, the crystal response is compared with reference calculations with grain boundaries that are either ‘microhard’ (impenetrable to dislocations) or ‘microfree’ (an infinite dislocation sink).     

Notch sensitivity in nanoscale metallic glass specimens: Insights from continuum simulations

Recent experiments have shown that nano-sized metallic glass (MG) specimens subjected to tensile loading exhibit increased ductility and work hardening. Failure occurs by necking as opposed to shear banding which is seen in bulk samples. Also, the necking is generally observed at shallow notches present on the specimen surface. In this work, continuum finite element analysis of tensile loading of nano-sized notched MG specimens is conducted using a thermodynamically consistent non-local plasticity model to clearly understand the deformation behavior from a mechanics perspective. It is found that plastic zone size in front of the notch attains a saturation level at the stage when a dominant shear band forms extending across the specimen. This size scales with an intrinsic material length associated with the interaction stress between flow defects. A transition in deformation behavior from quasi-brittle to ductile becomes possible when this critical plastic zone size is larger than the uncracked ligament length. These observations corroborate with atomistic simulations and experimental results.     

非常规态型近场动力学热黏塑性模型及其应用

在非常规态型近场动力学(non-ordinary state-based peridynamics, NOSB-PD) 理论框架下构建了考虑应变率效应、塑性硬化、热软化效应和材料断裂特征的非局部三维热黏塑性固体本构模型以及相应的非局部空间积分型数值算法, 并应用于金属类材料和构件在冲击载荷作用等工况下的高应变率热黏塑性变形与破坏分析. 通过对经典含初始裂纹Kalthoff-Winkler板冲击试验进行三维近场动力学模拟, 可得到裂纹的起裂角度、扩展路径、扩展速度以及裂纹扩展过程中靶板等效应力和温度分布, 所得结果与已有试验结果和其他数值方法结果吻合较好. 在此基础上, 应用该模型分析了不同冲击速度作用下金属靶板的变形与裂纹扩展过程, 结果表明: 该模型能较好地模拟不同冲击速度(应变率)情况下靶板的变形与破坏全过程. 随着冲击速度变化, 初始裂纹的起裂时间、扩展方向和扩展速度呈一定规律变化. 冲击速度越低, 起裂时间越晚(直至冲击速度低于某值时初始裂纹不扩展), 裂纹扩展速度峰值越低, 冲击过程中靶板温度峰值越低, 完全扩展所需时间越长.      

Effect of secondary orientation on notch-tip plasticity in superalloy single crystals

Numerical and experimental evolutions of slip fields in notched Ni-Base Single Crystal superalloy tensile specimens are presented as a function of secondary crystallographic orientation. The numerical predictions based on three-dimensional anisotropic elasticity and crystal plasticity are compared with experimental observations. The results illustrate the strong dependence of the slip patterns and the plastic zone size and shape on the secondary orientation of notches, which can have important consequences on crack initiation. Specific orientations or non-symmetric notch geometries lead to non-symmetric patterns on both sides of the sample. The computations show that strongly different plastic zones are expected in the core of the sample and at free surfaces. The ability of the anisotropic elastic model to anticipate the plastic domains, based on identifying dominant slip systems, is confirmed by the crystal plasticity computations, at low load levels. An important observation is that kink shear banding is a real deformation mode operating at crack tips and notches in high strength nickel-based single crystal superalloys for specific orientations.     

Refined Dugdale plastic zones of an external circular crack

The refined Dugdale-type plastic zones ahead of an external circular crack, subjected to a uniform displacement at infinity, are evaluated both analytically and numerically. The analytical method utilizes potential theory in classical linear elasticity with emphasis on the contrast from the internal crack problem. A closed-form solution to the mixed boundary problem is obtained to predict the length of the plastic zone for a Tresca yield condition. The analytical solution is also used to benchmark the results obtained from the numerical method, which show good agreement. Through an iterative scheme, the numerical technique is able to estimate the size of crack tip plasticity zone, which is governed by the non-linear von Mises criterion. The relationships between the applied displacement and the length of the plastic zone are compared for the different yielding conditions. Computational modeling has demonstrated that the plastic constraint effect based on the true yield condition can significantly influence the load-bearing capacity. It is also discovered from the comparative study that the stress components predicted by the three different yield conditions may differ notably; however, the stress triaxiality in the ligament region has only small deviations. The proposed study may find applications in predicting the plastic flow in a circumferentially notched round bars under tension.     

Development of an approach to constitutive modelling of concrete: Isotropic damage coupled with plasticity

The paper presents an approach to constitutive modelling of concrete using damage mechanics and plasticity theory. The thermodynamic formulation, and parameter identification of a non-local coupled damage-plasticity model are presented in this study. The particular focus is the calibration of model parameters. It is shown that both the local parameters and the parameters governing the non-local interaction can be determined from experimental data reliably and consistently. A novel procedure is developed for parameter identification, using the separation of total dissipation energy into additive parts corresponding to different dissipation mechanisms. The relationship between the local and non-local parameters is also addressed, helping to obtain model responses consistent with the fracture energy of the material. The application of the model and the calibration procedure proposed in this study to the numerical failure analysis of concrete structures is illustrated through a series of real structural tests, showing both the performance of the model and the consistency of the proposed calibration procedure.