This course covers the theory of elastic and plastic deformation in materials, and the vital role played by crystal defects.

Part 1 (compulsory): Prof. Adrian Sutton
16 one-hour lectures and 4 rapid feedback sessions in Term 1

  • Structural versus functional materials
  • Defects in crystals
  • The geometry of the elastic field
  • The equilibrium condition for the stress field and body forces
  • The misfitting sphere as a model of point defects
  • The elastic Green's function
  • Application of the elastic Green's function to point defects with non-spherical symmetry, and connection with atomistic simulation
  • The nature of plastic deformation of crystals
  • Application of the elastic Green's function to dislocations

Part 2 (optional advanced): Dr Daniel Balint
8 hours of classes in Term 2

  • Complex variable analysis of plane isotropic linear elasticity
  • The method of analytic continuation applied to complex variable analysis of plane isotropic linear elasticity
  • The distributed dislocation technique for modelling cracks
  • Plane discrete dislocation plasticity