Two-dimensional numerical simulations for the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in an elastic-plastic medium are presented. Recent predictions of the theory regarding the asymmetric growth of peaks and valleys during the linear phase of the instability evolution are confirmed. Extension to the nonlinear regime reveals singular features, such as the long delay in achieving the nonlinear saturation and an intermediate phase with growth rate larger than the classical one.

• Received 15 July 2023
• Revised 28 September 2023
• Accepted 10 October 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.108.055102