Wave and rupture propagation at frictional bimaterial sliding interfaces: From local to global dynamics, from stick-slip to continuous sliding

This paper presents the results obtained from a 2D non linear finite element analysis under large transformations of the onset and evolution of sliding between two dissimilar isotropic elastic bodies separated by a frictional interface. The aim of this work is to investigate the time evolution of the global behaviour of the system, and relating it to the local phenomena occurring at the interface. Results from the numerical parameter space study show how the system parameters affect local dynamics. Consequently, local dynamics affect the macroscopic frictional behaviour of the system and excite the system dynamic response. The evolution of the tangential force changes from stick-slip like behaviour to continuous sliding as a function of local phenomena. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.