A copula-based reliability modeling for nonrepairable multi-state k-out-of-n systems with dependent components. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Xiang-Yu; Liu, Yu; Chen, Chu-Jie; Jiang, Tao
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Volume 230:Number 2(2016:Apr.)
• Page Start: 133
• Page End: 146
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Copula function -- dependency -- multi-state k-out-of-n systems -- reliability modeling; Reliability (Engineering) -- Mathematical models -- Periodiclals; Risk assessment -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; Engineering design -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; 620.00452
• DOI: 10.1177/1748006X15596086
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-006X

Abstract

As k -out-of- n systems have widespread applications in engineering practices, their reliability modeling and evaluation are a great concern of reliability community. However, most reported works on k -out-of- n reliability modeling and evaluation are based on the premise that all the components are s -independent. Such simplified treatment may not be realistic as components in a system often suffer the same working or environmental conditions and/or interact with one another, resulting in dependency between their failure processes. To characterize such dependency in reliability modeling and evaluation, a copula-based reliability modeling for dependent multi-state k -out-of- n systems is developed in this work using copula functions and minimal paths of system states. The state probability and reliability functions of dependent multi-state k -out-of- n systems with identical components, nonidentical components, and partially dependent components are formulated. Two illustrative examples and a port oil transportation system are presented to demonstrate the implementation of the proposed method, and a sensitivity analysis is also conducted to examine how sensitive the reliability measures are with respect to the degree of dependency.