Finite-element method for the determination of the surface stress field from the real microstructure of anisotropic materials

A method is described for determining the surface stress distribution from the real microstructure of materials. The major advantages of the analyses, including the determination of anisotropic mechanical and crystallographic properties, are identified. The calculation involves the development of image analysis processing and the implementation in the finite-element code Cast3M of a new procedure for meshing the real microstructure and material models capable of describing the complex behaviour of real materials. The method is applied to the case of austenoferritic stainless steels.