Estimation of Reliability Parameters of a Complex Repairable System

Abstract

In this paper estimation of reliability parameters of a complex repairable system is considered and semi-markov process is used in analyzing various reliability parameters such as Transition Probabilities, Mean sojourn times, MTSF, Availability and Busy period of repairman in repairing the failed units. In the past, Arora et-al[2] has done reliability analysis of two unit standby redundant system with constrained repair time. Gupta et-al [6] has worked on a compound redundant system involving human failure. Rander et-al [2] has evaluated the cost analysis of two dissimilar cold standby systems with preventive maintenance and replacement of standby units. A pioneer work in this field was done by Gopalan [1] and Osaki [3] by performing analysis of warm standby system and parallel system with bivariate exponential life respectively. Earlier, Pathak et al [7&8] studied reliability parameters of a main unit with its supporting units and also compared the results with two different distributions. In this paper, Chapman-Kolmogorov equations are used to develop recursive relations. Also the involvement of preventive maintenance in the model increases the reliability of the functioning units. In the end a particular case is also taken for discussion.