A nonlinear symmetry breaking effect in shear cracks

Shear cracks propagation is a basic dynamical process that mediates interfacial failure. We develop a general weakly nonlinear elastic theory of shear cracks and show that these experience tensile-mode crack tip deformation, including possibly opening displacements, in agreement with Stephenson’s prediction. We quantify this nonlinear symmetry breaking effect, under two-dimensional deformation conditions, by an explicit inequality in terms of the first and second order elastic constants in the quasi-static regime and semi-analytic calculations in the fully dynamic regime. Our general results are applied to various materials. Finally, we discuss available works in the literature and note the potential relevance of elastic nonlinearities for frictional cracks.