The category of problems which examines the mechanical behaviour of contact regions constitutes an important branch of applied mechanics with extensive engineering applications. The results of such research can be applied to the study of mechanics of composite materials, tribology, soil-foundation interaction, mechanics of rock interfaces, modelling of damage phenomena and micro-mechanics. In classical studies, the modelling of interface responses has focussed on purely idealized forms of interface phenomena which range from frictionless contact to bonded contact, with Coulomb friction or finite friction occupying an intermediate position. Current research has attempted to improve such modelling by endowing the interface with its own characteristic constitutive responses. This research indicates the significant manner in which non linear, frictional, dilatant, hardening and softening interface constitutive responses can influence the global and local interface responses of engineering interest.The technical sessions held in New Mexico (sponsored by the Elasticity Committee of the Engineering Mechanics Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers) brought together new advances in the theoretical formulation, analysis and the application of material interface modelling to problems of engineering interest. This book contains the papers presented plus invited contributions from leading researchers.

Fundamental Phenomena at Interfaces with Frictional Contact. Interface models, variational principles and numerical solutions for dynamic friction problems (J.A.C. Martins, J.T. Oden). Hemivariational inequalities in frictional contact problems and applications (P.D. Panagiotopoulos). The influence of slip hardening and interface compliance on contact stress distributions. A mathematical programming approach (A. Klarbring). Modelling of Interfaces in Geomechanics. On the modeling of contact problems with dilation (M. Plesha, T. Belytschko). Torsional response of cylindrical rigid inclusions with interface slip (A.P.S. Selvadurai, R.K.N.D. Rajapakse). Constitutive modelling for interfaces under cyclic loading (C.S. Desai, B.K. Nagaraj). Contact and Inclusion Problems. A finite element method for contact problems with finite deformations and mixed boundary conditions (G.Z. Voyiadjis, A.A. Poe). Effect of interface properties on wave propagation in a medium with inclusions (S.K. Datta, H.M. Ledbetter). Stability of a long cylindrical shell with partial contact at the end face (A. Azarkhin, J.R. Barber). Interface Problems in Geomechanics. Unilateral contact at an internally indented smooth elastic interface (A.P.S. Selvadurai). Large ice mass surging via ice-bedrock interface mobilization (D.F.E. Stolle, F.A. Mirza). An axisymmetric interface element for soil-structure interaction problems (M.O. Faruque). Interface Phenomena in Fracture Mechanics. Rapid interface flaw extension with friction: varying Coulomb or viscous coefficients of friction (L.M. Brock). Study of frictional closure of a crack emanating from a circular inclusion (M. Comninou, N. Li). Finite element interface crack analysis with application to massive hydraulic fracturing containment (E.P. Chen). Author Index. Subject Index.