With zero initial time derivative, the integral term in the D'Alembert formula vanishes. The Heaviside step function representation gives
The rectangular pulse splitting under the wave equation consists of two width-two pulses of height , moving left and right at speed . At they coincide and add to the initial height-one pulse. Before the overlapping interval has height one; after the two pulses are separated. Values exactly at the fronts depend on the chosen convention. Away from the fronts the equation holds classically, and across the fronts it holds as a weak solution of the wave equation.