Hierarchical models of plasticity: Dislocation nucleation and interaction

One avenue being pursued in the development of dislocation-based models of plasticity is the explicit simulation of the dynamics of dislocations, based on the recognition that such dislocations are the carriers of plasticity. The construction of models of dislocation dynamics requires insights into both the nucleation and interaction of dislocations, many of the details of which fall outside the domain of validity of the linear theory of elasticity. The aim of the present paper is to show how preliminary steps have been made to elucidate the mechanisms of dislocation nucleation and interaction, and to illustrate how such information can be imported into explicit models of dislocation dynamics. This effort reflects, in part, the research program of Gilles Canova, to whom the present volume is dedicated and to whom the authors dedicate this paper.