Some Graphical Techniques for Estimating Weibull Confidence Intervals

Many methods for estimating the parameter and percentile statistical confidence intervals for the Weibull and Gumbel (extreme value) distributions have been described in the literature. Most of these methods depend on extensive computer programs, require reference to tables which do not cover all sample sizes of interest and/or are not widely available. This paper describes a semi-empirical technique which permits rapid estimation of the 2-sided 90% statistical confidence intervals for the Weibull or Gumbel distribution parameters, as well as for the 1, 5, 10 percentiles. The estimates can be obtained for type II censoring and sample sizes to 25. The statistical confidence intervals calculated using this method are not exact, but are very good approximations and are useful to engineers who do not have ready access to programs or lengthy tables, or who require quick estimates. If more accurate statistical confidence intervals are required, then the more complicated methods described in the references should be used.