Fracture Statistics Based on Pore/Grain‐Size Interaction

The statistics of fracture in ceramics are discussed based on a model that describes crack instability that occurs at a configuration of a microcrack positioned in the stress‐concentrating effect of a large pore. The interaction of pore size and grain‐size distribution is considered, and the effect of a locally varying stress field is included. Results are presented as predictions of the critical pore size and microcrack size that cause fracture for the two assumed average grain sizes of 1 and 5 µm.