The role of the symmetry of the interaction of shock waves with free a
nd supported surfaces in the formation of cleavage fractures is studie
d. A qualitative analysis is made of the schemes of two limiting cases
of the development of relief processes in a plate compressed by a sho
ck wave. The results of the analysis are compared with our experiments
and those of other researchers. The data obtained indicate that the p
rocess of cleavage fractures can be controlled by changing the loading
symmetry.