AN ELASTIC WEDGE WITH AN EXTENDING CRACK .2.

The dynamic anti-plane problem of a crack extending from the corner wi th a constant subsonic velocity in an elastic wedge due to sudden appl ication of surface displacements in the outer surfaces of the wedge ha s been considered. The problem has been solved using a self-similarity technique, which is based on the observation that for the externally applied surface displacements the particle velocity is self-similar. T he results include the expressions for shear stress in the plane of th e crack and the stress intensity factor at the crack tip. Finally, the variation of the stress intensity factor, with different values of th e parameters used in the problem, has been depicted by means of graphs . Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.