A comparative analysis of the mesoscale stress-strain state in two- and three-dimensional polycrystalline specimens

A comparative analysis has been performed of mesoscale stress and strain distributions in sections of 3D polycrystalline specimens and in their 2D cousins under plane strain and plane stress conditions. For similar macroscale stress-strain curves, the mesoscale plastic strain localization patterns are shown to differ essentially both qualitatively and quantitatively in 2D and 3D models. In other words, the same effective mechanical response of the materials can be provided by different mesoscale stress and strain distributions depending on the loading technique used and geometric features of the specimens (thin plates, thick specimens, etc.).