Probabilistic cell modelling of cleavage fracture

Various aspects on probabilistic modelling of cleavage fracture are discuss ed. The investigation involves consideration of a unit cell with an explici tly modelled void. The results from this model are compared with results fo r the case when the void content is accounted for in the sense of a Gurson- Tvergaard law. It is found that explicit modelling of the void can give sub stantially different results for the fracture probability. The effect depen ds on the exponent in the assumed Weibull distribution, the threshold stres s, the constraint conditions and the hardening of the material.