Reliability modeling for multistage systems subject to competing failure processes

Abstract

In this paper, a novel multistage reliability model is provided as systems are often divided into many stages according to system degradation characteristics. Multistage hard failure (caused by random shock) process (MHFP) and multistage soft failure (caused by random shock and continuous degradation) process (MSFP) are introduced to describe the competing failure processes, where either the MSFP or MHFP would break down the system. The shock processes impact the system in three ways: (1) fatal load shocks cause hard failure immediately in the hard failure process; (2) time shocks cause a hard failure threshold changing;(3) damage load shocks cause degradation level increasing in the soft failure process. In this paper, a density function dispersion method is carried out to address the multistage reliability model, and the effectiveness of the proposed models is demonstrated by reliability analysis with the one-stage model. Finally, the multistage model is applied to a case study, the degradation process is divided into three stages, and the hard failure threshold can be transmitted twice. The proposed model can be applied in other multistage situations, and the calculation method can satisfy the accuracy requirements.

Semi-Markov approach for reliability modelling of light utility vehicles

“…In turn, the authors of studies on micro-electro-mechanical system devices [37,46] proposed the application of probabilistic methods to develop hard and soft failure models. The same failure classification was used by Lyu et al [26] in relation to multi-state systems. They used probabilistic methods and dispersion to develop a reliability model.…”

“…Models based on Birnbaum importance measure 2-, 3-and 5-component systems [31] Probabilistic methods and Monte Carlo simulation Exponential model Military vehicles [27] Probabilistic and dispersion methods Reliability models including hard and soft failures Multi-state systems [26] Bayesian methods Combined model of component reliability Multi-component complex system [14] Markov processes 3-state model Power supply systems in transport telematics devices [47] 4-state model Bearings [22] 5-state model Micro-electro-mechanical systems [54] 2-, 4-and 8-state model Port distribution power system [12] 10-state model GPS Receivers [41] Semi-Markov processes…”

Reliability analysis method of competitive failure processes considering the coupling effect of multiple shock processes and degradation process

“…[16][17][18] The division of the continuous degradation process into multiple phases is also an effective way to address the above issues. 19 By categorizing the degradation process into different stages based on different degradation thresholds, it is possible to study the influence of continuous degradation on the degradation rate and the hard failure threshold. 20 When the amount of degradation features decreases to a certain threshold, the system enters the next degradation stage, and the degradation rate changes accordingly.…”

“…Some scholars have proposed to use Copula functions to characterize the correlation between multiple degradation processes, and then study the relationship between shock intensity and the amount of degradation 16–18 . The division of the continuous degradation process into multiple phases is also an effective way to address the above issues 19 . By categorizing the degradation process into different stages based on different degradation thresholds, it is possible to study the influence of continuous degradation on the degradation rate and the hard failure threshold 20 .…”

Optimal condition‐based maintenance policy for systems with mutually dependent competing failure

“…Studies on the degradation process modeling of systems have been extensively developed. There are two main typical approaches to degradation process modeling: degradation path model [9][10][11] and stochastic process model. [12][13][14] Among the stochastic process models, the Wiener process [15][16][17][18] and the Gamma process [19][20][21] are the most popular models of the degradation process.…”