A numerical analysis of formation of the surface relief: A single inclusion model

Abstract

The influence of the material inhomogeneity on free surface roughening under uniaxial loading is simulated numerically in the framework of the mechanics of heterogeneous media, using a model of a single cubic inclusion embedded in a matrix as an example. Mechanical problems in 2D and 3D formulations are solved numerically by the finite-difference and finite-element methods. The stress-strain state responsible for the free surface roughening is examined. The effects of the inclusion orientation and location relative to the free surface and inclusion-to-matrix elastic modulus ratio on the surface relief characteristics are discussed.