3-Parameter Weibull Example

Six identical units are reliability tested under the same stresses and conditions. All units are tested to failure and the following times-to-failure are recorded: 48, 66, 85, 107, 125 and 152 hours. Find the parameters of the three-parameter Weibull distribution using probability plotting.

Solution

The following figure shows the results. Note that since the original data set was concave down, 17.26 was subtracted from all the times-to-failure and replotted, resulting in a straight line, thus γ = 17.26. (We used Weibull++ to get the results. To perform this by hand, one would attempt different values of γ, using a trial and error methodology, until an acceptable straight line is found. When performed manually, you do not expect decimal accuracy.)