Mechanisms of deformation under shock loading

Mechanisms of deformation suggested as a means of describing the behavior of crystalline solids under shock loading are analyzed from the following standpoints: a history of the stressed state, experimental data on shock wave profiles, microstructural investigations, and a possible role of different defects. One of the most essential features of deformation under such extreme conditions is the possibility of shear generation in the dislocation-free regions. Computer modelling reveals some peculiarities of this process.