We have employed the semidiscrete variational generalized Peierls-Nabarro m
odel to study the dislocation properties of aluminum. The generalized-stack
ing-fault (GSF) energy surface entering the model is calculated by using fi
rst-principles density functional theory (DFT) and the embedded-atom method
(EAM). Various core properties, including the core width, dissociation beh
avior, energetics, and Peierls stress for different dislocations have been
investigated. The correlation between the core energetics and the Peierls s
tress with the dislocation character has been explored. Our results reveal
a simple relationship between the Peierls stress and the ratio between the
core width and the atomic spacing. The dependence of the core properties on
the two methods for calculating the GSF energy (DFT vs EAM) has been exami
ned. Although the EAM gives the general trend for various dislocation prope
rties, it fails to predict the correct finer core structure, which in turn
can affect the Peierls stress significantly (about one order of magnitude).