On moving thick layer approach for graded damage modelling

We propose to examine analytical solutions of propagation of graded damage for particular geometries in the context of the formulation of a damage law based on a continuous transition between a sound material and a totally or partially broken material. The evolution of damage is associated with a moving layer of finite thickness, defined in the frame of a moving surface $${\varGamma }_o$$ . The dissipation and the driven forces for the motion of the layer depend on the local shape, in particular on the curvature of the surface $${\varGamma }_o$$ . This study is then focussed on the effect of this curvature on the stability of the propagation of the layer. Comparison with description of damage with sharp interface is also presented.