Efficient computation of forces on dislocation segments in anisotropic elasticity

We compare several alternative approaches for computing the stress field of a straight dislocation segment and its forces on other segments in an anisotropic linear elastic medium. The Willis–Steeds–Lothe expression can be implemented faster than Brown’s formula and the matrix formalism is only slightly faster than the integral formalism. Expressions for self-stress and selfforce are also explicitly derived. As an example, the critical stress to activate a Frank–Read source is computed as a function of its length in both isotropic and anisotropic materials. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)