A single theory for some quasi-static, supersonic, atomic, and tectonic scale applications of dislocations

Abstract

We describe a model based in continuum mechanics that reduces the study of a signifi-cant class of problems of discrete dislocation dynamics to questions of the modern the-ory of continuum plasticity. As applications, we explore the questions of the existence of a Peierls stress in a continuum theory, dislocation annihilation, dislocation dissoci-ation, finite-speed-of-propagation effects of elastic waves vis-a-vis dynamic dislocation fields, supersonic dislocation motion, and short-slip duration in rupture dynamics.