Dynamic crack growth is analyzed numerically for a plane strain bimate
rial block with an initial central crack. The material on each side of
the bond line is characterized by an isotropic hyperelastic constitut
ive relation. A cohesive surface constitutive relation is also specifi
ed that relates the tractions and displacement jumps across the bond l
ine and that allows for the creation of new free surface. The resistan
ce to crack initiation and the crack speed history are predicted witho
ut invoking any ad hoc failure criterion. Full finite strain transient
analyses are carried out, with two types of loading considered; tensi
le loading on one side of the specimen and crack face loading. The cra
ck speed history and the evolution of the crack tip stress state are i
nvestigated for parameters characterizing a PMMP/Al bimaterial. Additi
onally, the separate effects of elastic modulus mismatch and elastic w
ave speed mismatch on interface crack growth are explored for various
PMMA-artificial material combinations. The mode mixity of the near tip
fields is found to increase with increasing crack speed and in some c
ases large scale contact occurs in the vicinity of the crack tip. Crac
k speeds that exceed the smaller of the two Rayleigh wave speeds are a
lso found.