This book fills a gap by presenting our current knowledge and understanding of continuum-based concepts behind computational methods used for microstructure and process simulation of engineering materials above the atomic scale. The volume provides an excellent overview on the different methods, comparing the different methods in terms of their respective particular weaknesses and advantages. This trains readers to identify appropriate approaches to the new challenges that emerge every day in this exciting domain. Divided into three main parts, the first is a basic overview covering fundamental key methods in the field of continuum scale materials simulation. The second one then goes on to look at applications of these methods to the prediction of microstructures, dealing with explicit simulation examples, while the third part discusses example applications in the field of process simulation. By presenting a spectrum of different computational approaches to materials, the book aims to initiate the development of corresponding virtual laboratories in the industry in which these methods are exploited. As such, it addresses graduates and undergraduates, lecturers, materials scientists and engineers, physicists, biologists, chemists, mathematicians, and mechanical engineers.

Table of Contents:
Introduction FUNDAMENTALS AND BASIC METHODS Computational Thermodynamics and Kinetics without Phase Fileds (Thermocalc, Dictra, etc.) Phase Field Method Fluid Materials Dynamics Cellular Automata and Lattice Gas Automata Dislocation Dynamics Potts Type models Crystal Plasticity Artificial Neural Networks Scaling, Coarse Graining and Renormalization APPLICATION TO ENGINEERING MICROSTRUCTURES Phase Field Simulation of Solidification Modeling Dendrititc Structures Numerical Simulation of Continuous and Investment Casting Phase Field Simulation of Solid-state Phase Transformations and Strain/stress-dominated Microstructure Evolution From Microscopic to Semi-Macroscopic Polymer Simulations Statistical Theory of Grain Growth Curvature Driven Grain Growth Potts Modeling of Grain Growth and Recrystallization Cellular Automaton Simulation Vertex Grain Boundary Modeling Thermal Activation in Discrete Dislocation Dynamics 3D Discrete Dislocation Dynamics Discrete Dislocation Dynamics in Thin Layers Coarse Graining of Dislocation Dynamics Statistical Dislocation Modeling Taylor-type Homogenization Methods for Texture and Anisotropy Micromechanics of Filled Polymers Continuum Thermodynamic Modelling of Additional Hardening Strain Gradient Theory Yield Surface Plasticity Crystal Plasticity Finite Element Method Texture Component Crystal Plasticity Finite Element Method Creep Simulation (Turbine) Micromechanical Simulation of Composites 3D Elastodynamics of Cracking Computational Fracture Mechanics APPLICATION TO MATERIALS PROCESSES Artificial Neural Networks Integration of Physically Based Materials Concepts The Multiphysics Modeling of Solidification and Melting Processes Simulation of Casting and Solidification Proceses Integrated Simulation of Multistep Rolling Processes Forming Analysis and Design Extrusion Sheet Springback Sheet Forming Forging Simulation of Welding Simulation of Polymer Materials Processing Process Simulation Using Artificial Neural Networks Large Structure Failure Simulation Computational Materials Selection Computational Materials Design