General formulation for transition probabilities of Markov model and the application to fracture of composite materials

A generalized method for formulating unit-jump Markov chain model is presented. This method uses geometric series to determine the transition probabilities instead of using a moment generation function. Recursive equation for the transition probabilities has been derived in terms of the mean values. Present method is also compared by other method for robustness. Application of the unit-jump Markov chain model for characterizing fracture process of composites is described. By introducing a proper scaling factor, the entire probability history of the crack propagation at any loading states can be evaluated by the present model.