Abstract
In the past 20 years, the method of caustics has been widely used in studying static and dynamic crack problems under mechanical loading. Very few applications on fracture problems under transient thermal loading have been performed. In this paper, a special phenomenon observed in the application of the method of caustics on transient thermal fracture problems is reported. Based on Snell's law, a physical explanation of the phenomenon is provided. In addition, suggestions for obtaining analyzable caustic patterns are made. © 1994.