title: Crack propagation as a free boundary problem.
abstract: A sharp interface model of crack propagation as a phase transition process is discussed. We develop a multipole expansion technique to solve this free boundary problem numerically. We obtain steady state solutions with a self-consistently selected propagation velocity and shape of the crack, provided that elastodynamic effects are taken into account. Also, we find a saturation of the steady state crack velocity below the Rayleigh speed, tip blunting with increasing driving force, and a tip splitting instability above a critical driving force.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Festkörperforschung, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich, Germany.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pilipenko
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spatschek
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Brener
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Müller-Krumbhaar