Multi-scale modeling of polycrystal plasticity: a workshop report

The workshop on multi-scale modeling of polycrystal plasticity was held on April 9–11, 1997 at the Institute for Mechanics and Materials at the University of California, San Diego in La Jolla, CA. This workshop addressed length-scale issues associated with developing a predictive capability in the modeling of the plastic deformation of polycrystals by the incorporation of more physically based information in the models. The goals of the workshop were to: (1) establish a model system that is well suited to the multi-scale modeling methodology; (2) explore a set of discrete simulation methods at the continuum-scale, meso-scale, micro-scale, and atomic-scale; and (3) identify critical links connecting the length scales which will allow information to be passed among scales and allow the end goal of predictive models at the continuum scale. This paper presents the technical summary of the topics covered by the speakers at the workshop and a discussion of critical issues at each length scale.