Applications of the Four Function Weibull Equation in the Design of Brittle Components

The equation gives the failure probability of a component in terms of the unit strength and variability (characterised by the Weibull modulus) of the material, the size and shape of the component and the type and magnitude of the loads acting on it. The shape of the component and the type of loading determine the form of the stress distribution; this, in turn, determines an important characteristic quantity, the stress-volume integral, from which the failure probability for a specified load is quickly and easily evaluated.