A new approach for the analysis of sub-critical crack growth measured
by static and dynamic fatigues is proposed. This approach is based on
the knowledge of the initial defect size distribution, which is mathem
atically related to time to failure probability in the case of static
fatigue or to the fracture stress probability in the case of dynamic f
atigue. This method, which allows the determination of the sub-critica
l crack growth parameters with a good accuracy with a minimum number o
f specimens and under a single applied load, has been applied to mulli
te and zirconia. In the case of the dynamic fatigue test, the sub-crit
ical crack growth parameters can be obtained with a single loading rat
e or with two close rates for more precision. Under these conditions,
the parameters corresponding to the Wrst stage of the standard propaga
tion law can be inferred, making the results relevant for lifetime pre
diction.