PROBABILISTIC ANALYSIS OF SOME DIFFERENT REDUNDANT SYSTEMS THESIS

Abstract

Most of the research done on stochastic analysis of two unit parallel system focuses on repair and/or replacement of the entire unit/system. However this system is exposed to various degree of deterioration which can result in dangerous and costly failure. Where such deteriorations occurred, minor maintenance and major maintenance are done to the system. Less attention was given on the effect of deterioration, minor and major maintenance on various measures of system effectiveness such as mean time to system failure and system availability. The objective of this chapter is to present the effect of deterioration and minor maintenance rates on mean time to system failure. We analyzed the system by using Kolmogorov’s forward equations method. Effect of deterioration and minor maintenance rates on MTSF(mean time system failure) have also been discussed graphically. Results have shown that a deterioration rate reduces the MTSF while minor and major maintenance improves the MTSF. Through combine action of minor maintenance and major repair action the MTSF is improved. Models presented in this chapter are important to engineers and maintenance managers, for proper maintenance analysis, decision and for safety of the system as a whole.