EXTENSION OF CRACKS IN AN INFINITE ELASTIC MEDIUM DUE TO PLANE SH-WAVES

The dynamic anti-plane problem of extension of cracks due to the incid ence of two linearly varying plane SH-waves with non-parallel wave fro nts in an infinite elastic medium has been considered. The cracks are assumed to appear at a point where the plane waves intersect. The prob lem has been solved using a self-similar technique, which is based on the observation that certain field variables show dynamic similarities . The results include the expressions for shear stress in the planes o f the cracks and the stress intensity factors at the crack tips.