Extension of a cut-induced crack under antiplane loading

The extension of a crack formed by cutting at a high velocity into the surface of an elastic solid is investigated. The solid is assumed to be in a state of uniform antiplane shear before the cut is induced. The anti-plane wave motion which is generated by the cutting process is analyzed through a Green's function technique. This technique leads to an integral equation for the stress in the plane of the crack. The stress intensity and velocity intensity functions are obtained, and the propagation of the crack after the cutting process has been terminated is analyzed by means of the balance-of-rates-of-energy criterion. It is shown that the proclivity towards propagation beyond the length of the cut-induced crack shows a significant dependence on the speed of cutting.