Extension of an interface flaw under the influence of transient waves

This paper is concerned with the initiation of debonding at an interface of two elastic solids of different elastic constants and mass densities. The debonding is caused by stress concentrations that are generated when a system of transient horizontally polarized shear waves strikes the tip of an interface flaw. It is assumed that rupture of the adhesive bond is preceded by yielding of the adhesive. It is shown that for a system of step-stress waves the zone of interface yielding initially extends linearly with time. For various values of the parameters defining the materials and the system of waves the speed of the leading edge of the zone of interface yielding is computed. Analytic expressions are presented for the time of rupture and for the interface stress ahead of the yield zone.