Software Development on Dislocation Creep in Alloys

The topic of the project is the modelling and simulation of creep. As soon as creep deformation can be simulated with sufficient accuracy, lab tests can be cancelled for the better part – and simulations are faster. However, there are two problems. First: creep is extremely complex and difficult to handle. Second: most common models on creep are unreliable and work only under significant confinements; usually a lab test is inevitable (again) in order to tune the simulation towards reality. Nevertheless, there are many good models for partial aspects of the creep process. This is the point where the project sets in: these sub-models are collected and translated into a uniform “language”. This helps identifying contradicting theories, find gaps and replace them, and combine the bits and pieces into one single network. Each contribution must be physically justified in order to guarantee the predictability of the network. The model network is then coded as “glass box” software for computer simulations. With this software, users can then easily apply the state of the art (plus the progress achieved within the project) without digging into literature by themselves.