Statistical Failure Prediction Models for Brittle Materials.

The WeibulI/Principle of Independent Action, Batdorf, and Evans models for the evaluation of the probability of failure of brittle structures subjected to multiaxial stress states are reviewed. Experimental probability of failure distributions for alumina disks fractured under uniform pressure are compared with analytical predictions obtained by application of the WeibulI/Principle of Independent Action and Batdorf models through a finite element method. Results indicate that the Batdorf model is considerably more accurate than the WeibulI/Principle of Independent Action model and confirm the non-conservative nature of the latter.