AbstractNumerical simulations of the stress fields of dislocation networks were carried out. Various types of dislocation configuration including single dislocations, dipoles, and interface dislocations were taken into consideration. The numerical description of dislocation statics with high spatial resolution provided a useful diagnostic means of scrutinising assumptions which are usually incorporated into analytical models of strain hardening and flow stress. It was shown that interface dislocations generated long range stress fields as predicted using analytical models, but contrary to the predictions of many models, their contribution to the total dislocation density was not negligible. The simulations confirmed that an adequate description of local stress fields, and hence of strain hardening and flow stress, can only be obtained if both the local densities of dislocations, and their character and arrangement are taken into account. Since the statics of complicated dislocation arrangements can no longer be treated analytically, because of the long range stress fields of dislocations, numerical methods are considered an important additional tool for the theoretical treatment of flow stress.MST/3256