Citation

Lewis EE, Zhuguo T. Reliab. Eng. 1986; 16(4): 277-296.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0143-8174(86)90098-3

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Markov Monte Carlo methods for reliability calculations are generalized to include inhomogeneous Markov processes. Two new sampling techniques allow the treatment of time-dependent failure rates and of preventive maintenance. Incorporation of periodic testing and repair models allows classes of revealed and unrevealed failures to be combined in problems with wear, periodic maintenance and component dependencies. Numerical illustrations of these phenomena are presented for one, two and multiple component systems.