Statistical Modeling and Probable Calculation of the Strength of Materials with Random Distribution of Surface Defects

Based on the solutions of deterministic fracture mechanics and the methods of probability theory, the algorithm for calculating the probabilistic strength characteristics of plate elements of structures with an arbitrary stochastic distribution of surface defects is outlined. On the plate surface, there are uniformly distributed cracks that do not interact with each other, the plane of which is normal to the surface, and the depth is much less than its length on the surface. The cracks’ depth and angle of orientation are random values, and their joint distribution density is specified. Plates made of this material are under the influence of biaxial loading. The probability of failure, along with the mean value, the dispersion, and the variation coefficient of the plate’s strength, taking into account the surface defects under different types of stress, were determined. Their dependence on the type of loading, the size of the plate, and the surface structural heterogeneity of the material were studied graphically. Joint consideration of the influence of the interrelated properties of real materials, such as defectiveness and stochasticity, on strength and fracture, opens up new opportunities in creating a theory of strength and fracture of deformable solids.