A general structure of the deformation path within the discontinuity is considered. It is shown, that strong discontinuities can indeed propagate dynamically, without violating any of the mechanical constitutive relations of the material. The velocity of a discontinuity can be different from an elastic wave speed, only if plastic strains are discontinuous. It is also shown that the velocity depends on the amplitude of stress and plastic strain discontinuities.

Finite element results on cracks growing dynamically under plane-swain conditions are presented. The stress and strain distributions are discontinuous at 90 degrees from the crack plane. The theoretical predictions on stress and strain jumps as well as on the stress states just before and after the discontinuity are in excellent agreement with the numerical results.

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