Numerical analysis of dynamic debonding under anti-plane shear loading

We present an efficient numerical scheme specially developed to simulate a wide variety of dynamic debonding problems under anti-plane shear loading conditions. The algorithm is based on an exact spectral representation of the elastodynamic relations between the interface stresses and displacements. It involves an explicit time stepping scheme with, for each time step, the use of FFT to link the spatial and spectral domains, and the computation of a convolution over the past displacement or velocity history. Two versions of the spectral algorithm are presented: in the first one, the elastodynamic response of each half space is investigated separately before the two solutions are linked with the aid of the interface continuity conditions. In the second approach, the interface conditions and the modulus mismatch are combined in a single bimaterial elastodynamic relation. Various problems involving stationary or rapidly moving interfacial cracks are investigated and contrasted with existing analytical results. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.