Weakest-link failure predictions for ceramics using finite element post-processing

Weakest-link failure prediction models according to Weibull, Stanley and Lamon have been implemented in a post-processing program supplementing a finite element modelling code. Failure predictions for equibiaxial loading from uniaxial bending test data reveal significant differences between the various formulations. The choice of a particular failure model for a particular material therefore has to be validated by additional information, e.g. by fractography or micrography