Comparison of a statistical-mechanics based plasticity model with discretedislocation plasticity calculations

A novel, nonlocal version of continuum crystal plasticity theory is propose d, which is based on a statistical description of dislocations. It involves a set of evolution equations for the dislocation density and for the sign- dislocation density, which are coupled to the continuum slip description. T he theory is applied to the problem of shearing of a two-dimensional compos ite material. The results are compared, in qualitative manner, to the resul ts of recent discrete dislocation predictions of the same problem. The new theory is shown to be able to pick up the distinct dependence on particle m orphology and the associated size dependence.