Reliability of a load-sharing k-out-of-n:G system: non-iid components with arbitrary distributions

This paper develops a model to calculate the reliability of a load-sharing k-out-of-n:G system which is composed of nonidentical components each having an arbitrary failure time distribution. The components are nonrepairable, and once failed, will be removed from the system immediately. The event of a component failure will result in a higher load, therefore inducing a higher failure rate, in each of the surviving components. The authors assume that the failure time distribution of the component can be represented by the accelerated failure time model which is also a proportional hazards model when the baseline reliability is Weibull. This model is more general and realistic than models assuming i.i.d components with exponential failure time distributions. Special cases for the load-sharing 1-out-of-2:G system and several areas where the method can be applied are discussed.

[1]  Huamin Liu,et al.  Cutting-tool reliability assessment in variable machining conditions , 1996, IEEE Trans. Reliab..

[2]  Andrew K. S. Jardine,et al.  Proportional hazards analysis of diesel engine failure data , 1989 .

[3]  E. V. Walker,et al.  Applying proportional hazards modelling in reliability , 1991 .

[4]  Michael J. LuValle,et al.  Experiment design and graphical analysis for checking acceleration models , 1993 .

[5]  David R. Cox,et al.  Regression models and life tables (with discussion , 1972 .

[6]  Kailash C. Kapur,et al.  Reliability in engineering design , 1977 .

[7]  Pike Mc,et al.  A method of analysis of a certain class of experiments in carcinogenesis. , 1966 .

[8]  Martin Newby,et al.  Accelerated failure time models for reliability data analysis , 1988 .

[9]  Patricia J. Solomon,et al.  Effect of misspecification of regression models in the analysis of survival data , 1984 .

[10]  Viliam Makis,et al.  Optimal Replacement In The Proportional Hazards Model , 1992 .

[11]  J. Kalbfleisch,et al.  The Statistical Analysis of Failure Time Data , 1980 .

[12]  Elmer E Lewis,et al.  Introduction To Reliability Engineering , 1987 .

[13]  F. Szidarovszky,et al.  Time-varying failure rates in the availability and reliability analysis of repairable systems , 1995 .

[14]  I. Olkin,et al.  A Multivariate Exponential Distribution , 1967 .

[15]  I. Gertsbakh,et al.  Statistical Reliability Theory , 1988 .

[16]  L. Lamberson,et al.  Modeling a shared-load k-out-of-n:G system , 1991 .

[17]  M. R. Drury,et al.  Proportional hazards modelling in the analysis of computer systems reliability , 1988 .

[18]  Ravishankar K. Iyer,et al.  A Measurement-Based Model for Workload Dependence of CPU Errors , 1986, IEEE Transactions on Computers.

[19]  E. M. Scheuer,et al.  Reliability of an m-out of-n system when component failure induces higher failure rates in survivors , 1988 .

[20]  Martin Crowder,et al.  Statistical Analysis of Reliability Data , 1991 .

[21]  Bengt Klefsjö,et al.  Proportional hazards model: a review , 1994 .