Availability analysis and maintenance optimization for multiple failure mode systems considering imperfect repair. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qiu, Qingan; Liu, Baoliang; Lin, Cong; Wang, Jingjing
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Volume 235:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 982
• Page End: 997
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Multiple failure modes -- availability analysis -- imperfect maintenance -- inspection; Reliability (Engineering) -- Mathematical models -- Periodiclals; Risk assessment -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; Engineering design -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; 620.00452
• DOI: 10.1177/1748006X211012792
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-006X

Abstract

This paper studies the availability and optimal maintenance policies for systems subject to competing failure modes under continuous and periodic inspections. The repair time distribution and maintenance cost are both dependent on the failure modes. We investigate the instantaneous availability and the steady state availability of the system maintained through several imperfect repairs before a replacement is allowed. Analytical expressions for system availability under continuous and periodic inspections are derived respectively. The availability models are then utilized to obtain the optimal inspection and imperfect maintenance policy that minimizes the average long-run cost rate. A numerical example for Remote Power Feeding System is presented to demonstrate the application of the developed approach.