An interactive simulation program for visualizing complex phenomena in solids Original Research Article

In the present article an interactive simulation program illustrating grain boundary and fracture phenomena in solids is described. The dynamical behaviour of a two-dimensional Lennard-Jones model system under stress, with either a grain boundary or an initial crack, is simulated through a molecular dynamics algorithm. All parameters defining the system and the dynamical load are set through a graphical user interface. A run-time representation of the system is displayed on a graphics window, which has been endowed with magnification and other visualization aid tools. The program runs on a UNIX-X11 Window System platform. The graphical part relies on the MOTIF library. The program has been devised for illustrative purposes. It displays the main elements of an interactive simulation and may be regarded as giving an illustration of the concept of interactivity. Due to the power of run-time animations in conveying ideas and concepts, it may prove to be useful, as well, as an instructional tool.