On Gradient Nanomechanics: Plastic Flow in Nanopolycrystals

摘要

Gradient nanomechanics is a generalized continuum mechanics framework accounting for "bulk-surface" interactions in the form of gradient terms that enter in the evolution equations of the relevant constitutive variables and/or in the governing field equations. This approach is discussed in the paper by developing appropriate differential equations for the plastic strain and/or the structural defects that bring this about. The effectiveness of the approach is illustrated by considering size-dependent stress-strain curves for nanopolycrystals with varying grain size.