Multiscale modelling of indentation in FCC metals: From atomic to continuum

This work presents numerical simulations of indentation at different scales. The indentation test is chosen to illustrate the multiscale approach used in most modern studies of crystalline plasticity. The multiscale approach proposed in this work consists of passing information from one model up to another model operating at an upper scale. At the atomic scale, molecular dynamics simulations give access to the shape and position of the first dislocations induced by indentation. This information is then passed to a dislocation dynamics model that can simulate dislocation organization while the loading proceeds. At the continuum level, finite element simulations are conducted within the framework of crystal plasticity. The constitutive equations used in the continuum model are informed by dedicated dislocation dynamics simulations. Finite element simulations are quantitatively compared to experimental data demonstrating that the dislocation dynamics computations are pertinent. (C) 2010 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.