Numerical study of the propagation of an adiabatic shear band

The dynamic propagation of an adiabatic shear band is modellised by numerical simulations. A layer of finite length and finite thickness is submitted to simple shear. After a transient, a steady state is attained in which the shear band propagates with a constant velocity. The steady shear band speed is estimated. Comparisons are made with experimental results and with numerical simulations realised for impacted prenotched specimens. The influence of the applied velocity V on the shear band speed C is analysed. Two distinct stages are observed : the first one shows a linear variation of C with V and the second is characterized by a weak dependence of C upon V. An energetical criterion enables to define by analytical means the applied velocity V* characterizing the transition between these two stages. The influence of the elastic shear modulus, of the mass density and of the yield stress are studied