Abstract
A modified version of Weibull's statistical theory of the strength of brittle materials is proposed, in which the expression for failure probability contains an additional term. While this term is negligible when failure originates from a flaw of relatively large size, it becomes increasingly significant as the flaw size is reduced. The resulting revised expressions for failure probability under uniform, uniaxial tension and under Hertzian indentation loading are given, and the effect of a bimodal flaw size distribution is considered in both cases. The implications with regard to the assumed invariance of Weibull statistical parameters under different experimental conditions are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
W. Weibull, Ingeriörsvetenskapsakad. Handl. 151 (1939) 45.
R. A. Hunt and L. N. McCartney, Int. J. Fracture 15 (1979) 365.
A. De S. Jayatilaka and K. Trustrum, J. Mater. Sci. 12 (1977) 1426.
A. S. Argon, Proc. Roy. Soc. A250 (1959) 482.
F. M. Ernsberger, “Progress in Ceramic Science” Vol. 3, edited by J. E. Burke (Pergamon Press, London, 1963) p. 58.
H. L. Oh and I. Finnie, J. Mech. Phys. Solids 15 (1967) 401.
Idem, Int. J. Fracture Mech. 6 (1970) 287.
B. Hamilton and H. Rawson, J. Mech. Phys. Solids 18 (1970) 127.
Y. M. Tsai and H. Kolsky, ibid. 15 (1967) 29.
D. G. Rickerby, Ph.D. Dissertation, Cambridge University (1977).
J. D. Poloniecki and T. R. Wilshaw, Nature 229 (1971) 226.
T. R. Wilshaw, J. Phys. D 4 (1971) 1567.
G. C. Sih, Int. J. Fracture 10 (1974) 305.
A. De S. Jayatilaka, I. J. Jenkins and S. V. Prasad, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Fracture (University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 1977).
M. T. Huber, Ann. Phys. 14 (1904) 153.
H. Hertz, “Miscellaneous Papers” (Macmillan, London, 1896).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rickerby, D.G. Theoretical aspects of the statistical variation of strength. J Mater Sci 15, 2466–2470 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00550748
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00550748