Parameter Estimation of Three-Parameter Weibull Distribution of Gas Turbine Blades Using TPC Windchill Quality Solutions
Erhuvwu Totore *
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria.
Joseph E. Udumebraye
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Training Institute, Warri, Nigeria.
William E. Odinikuku
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Training Institute, Warri, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The maximum likelihood estimation method is an effective technique for estimating the parameters of the Weibull distribution. However, it is an arduous task to compute the parameters of the Weibull distribution using numerical methods, hence; various reliability software packages have been developed to address this difficulty. In this study, an attempt is made to obtain the estimates of three-parameter Weibull distribution through the application of Weibull analysis software TPC Windchill Quality Solutions 11. The study involves the analysis of the failure times of ten identical gas turbines blades over a period of ten years. From the results obtained, it was found that the gas turbine blades were in their wear-out period. The results obtained in the study were compared with Weibull analysis software Minitab 19 and the values of the Weibull estimates obtained were found to be close. This shows that the software is suitable for the parameter estimation of three-parameter Weibull distribution.
Keywords: Failure time, reliability, maximum likelihood estimation, three-parameter Weibull, TPC Windchill Quality Solutions, probability plots, gas turbine blades