Reliability prediction for contact strength and fatigue of silicon nitride high strength components using an R-curve approach

The following paper will highlight the contributions of probabilistic reliability assessment to the failure prediction of brittle materials exhibiting so-called R-curve behaviour. Experimental findings of the authors and in the literature are related to the stepwise refinement in the accuracy of numerical approaches. Special emphasis is put on the fracture mechanics description using the weight function approach and corresponding modifications in the weakest link formulation of the failure prediction. As a verification example, a contact fatigue experiment is used to assess predictions of the weakest link finite element post-processor STAU.

► We provide a novel method for reliability prediction of R-curve ceramics.
► We combine a weight function approach with a weakest link statistical analysis.
► The results are calibrated using failure loads from double roll contact strength tests.
► Predictions for double roll contact fatigue failure are compared with experiments.
► Potential and limits of a probabilistic analysis are addressed.