  The dynamic initiation of sliding at planar interfaces between deformable and
rigid solids is studied with particular focus on the speed of the slip front.
Recent experimental results showed a close relation between this speed and the
local ratio of shear to normal stress measured before slip occurs (static
stress ratio). Using a two-dimensional finite element model, we demonstrate,
however, that fronts propagating in different directions do not have the same
dynamics under similar stress conditions. A lack of correlation is also
observed between accelerating and decelerating slip fronts. These effects
cannot be entirely associated with static local stresses but call for a dynamic
description. Considering a dynamic stress ratio (measured in front of the slip
tip) instead of a static one reduces the above-mentioned inconsistencies.
However, the effects of the direction and acceleration are still present. To
overcome this we propose an energetic criterion that uniquely associates,
independently on the direction of propagation and its acceleration, the slip
front velocity with the relative rise of the energy density at the slip tip.
