Modeling and simulation of nanoindentation
S. Huang and C. Zhou
JOM, 69, 2256-2263 (2017).

ABSTRACT
Nanoindentation is a hardness test method applied to small volumes of material
which can provide some unique effects and spark many related research
activities. To fully understand the phenomena observed during nanoindentation
tests, modeling and simulation methods have been developed to predict the
mechanical response of materials during nanoindentation. However, challenges
remain with those computational approaches, because of their length scale,
predictive capability, and accuracy. This article reviews recent progress and
challenges for modeling and simulation of nanoindentation, including an overview
of molecular dynamics, the quasicontinuum method, discrete dislocation dynamics,
and the crystal plasticity finite element method, and discusses how to integrate
multiscale modeling approaches seamlessly with experimental studies to
understand the length-scale effects and microstructure evolution during
nanoindentation tests, creating a unique opportunity to establish new
calibration procedures for the nanoindentation technique.