An isotropic, thermoelastic solid is at rest at uniform (absolute) temperature, and
contains a semi-infinite, closed plane crack. Thermal relaxation governs, and crack
surfaces are subject to convection. In-plane and compressive point forces, applied to
each face of the crack initiate transient 3D extension. Wiener–Hopf equations are
formulated in integral transform space from expressions whose inverses are
dynamically similar and valid for short times. The solutions, upon inversion, are
subjected to the dynamic energy release rate criteria, with kinetic energy included. A
differential equation for crack edge contour is produced, and demonstrates that
a certain type of point-force time variation can indeed cause a constant
extension rate. Calculations for the pure compression case show that variation in
crack growth rate with convection is not necessarily monotonic. A finite
measure of crack edge thermal response for pure compression is provided by the
temperature norm. Calculations indicate even greater sensitivity to thermal
convection.
