The interface strength in an adhesive joint plays a major role in load transfer across bonded joints. However, the
presence of defects hinders or deflects the load transmission. In this study, an attempt has been made using the
cohesive zone method to study the effect of interfacial strength (or residual strength) on the interfacial crack
propagation under indentation contact. Stable and unstable crack growth behaviour have been investigated and
the effect of the presence of defects along one of the interfaces has been analysed. It has been concluded that
higher interfacial strengths favour unstable crack propagation. The presence of defects does not affect the crack
initiation but affects the crack initiation load because of the reduction in the apparent interface length.