Dislocation multiplication by cross-slip and glissile reaction in a dislocation based continuum formulation of crystal plasticity

•The presented model is a homogenization of discrete multiplication mechanisms (instead of a slip-system-wise application of phenomenological formulations as done in various existing models.).•As observed in the underlying discrete dislocation dynamics simulations, only dislocation multiplication by glissile and cross-slip is considered, avoiding dislocation multiplication based on the picture of Frank-Read sources.•The model is able to link the dislocation density activity on different slip systems by the homogenized multiplication mechanisms. This also includes “inactive” slip systems with a zero shear stress, leading to a dislocation density increase by deposition of the products of glissile reactions.•It is shown that the increasing dislocation density on the inactive slip systems may affect the evolution of the active slip systems by contributing to further glissile reactions and strain hardening in the continuum model.•The results for the dislocation density increase are therefore close to discrete dislocation dynamics results and thus mechanisms-based in contrast to models based on a slip-system-wise adoption of the Kocks-Mecking theory.