GNDs in nonlocal plasticity theories: lessons from discrete dislocation simulations

Solutions to simple boundary value problems using discrete dislocation plasticity exhibit key features associated with an accumulation of geometrically necessary dislocations: size effects and long-range stresses. Comparisons of the predictions of nonlocal plasticity theories with the discrete dislocation results provide an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of various phenomenological theories and also provide a means of identifying appropriate nonlocal boundary conditions. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc.