Finite element analysis of fracture behavior in ceramics: Prediction of strength distribution using microstructural features

The estimation of the strength scatter caused by internal defects is necessary in analyzing a reliable design of advanced ceramic components. In this study, we proposed a finite element analysis methodology to predict the stochastic fracture behavior of ceramics based on the microstructural features obtained by the scanning electron microscopy and X-ray computed tomography. Here, the two- and three-dimensional distribution microstructural data are approximated by various probability density functions and are reflected in the dispersion of parameters of the damage model via a fracture mechanics model. We then applied the proposed method to alumina fine ceramics sintered at three different temperatures, and performed the three-point bending test. Furthermore, the numerically created Weibull distributions were compared with those obtained experimentally. Our analysis results confirm that the proposed method can reasonably predict the strength scatter in ceramics.