Interface (or joint) elements introduce errors in the computation of the Stress Intensity Factor, and uncertainties in the definition of the 'slipping' and 'stuck' regions in some fracture problems. The PATH algorithm is free of these disadvantages and displays the maximum error in the results; in a test case it required about 30% more machine time than the fast aigorithm of Elvin and Leung. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.