Birgoren, BDirikolu, MH2020-06-252020-06-252004closedAccess1359-8368https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2003.11.002https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12587/3345Birgoren, Burak/0000-0001-9045-6092Estimating confidence lower bound for fracture strength of composites is a key concern in design and manufacture, and the Weibull distribution has been widely used for this purpose. Previous simulation-based studies presented computational tools for these bounds involving tables or parametric equations, which lack generality and may contain simulation and curve-fitting errors. An alternative approach is to present a fast and effective simulation tool that can be directly used by the end-user. Such a tool is developed in this study for estimating the bounds using the Weibull distribution based on maximum likelihood estimation. This is a more versatile approach in that it allows the user to input any desired confidence level, failure probability, and simulation-run number. The tool is demonstrated by using fracture strength data obtained from ASTM D3039 tension tests of 19 identical carbon-epoxy composite specimens. The results are compared with those obtained from previously developed approaches. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccesscarbon fibremechanical propertiescomputational modellingstatistical properties/methodsmechanical testingArticle35326326610.1016/j.compositesb.2003.11.0022-s2.0-10444221825Q1WOS:000220303300008Q1