BASIC RELIABILITY ENGINEERING

There are a number of common metrics used within the field of reliability engineering. Primary ones include reliability, unreliability, availability, unavailability, and MTTF. But, when different failure modes are considered — as they are when doing SIF verification — then new metrics are needed. These include PFS, PFD, PFDavg, MTTFS, and MTTFD. 

In developing the applicable metrics concepts in this chapter, a single failure mode is assumed throughout. Multiple failure mode metrics are presented in a subsequent chapter. 

---

Marseguerra, M., Zio, E. Martorell, S. 2006. Basics of genetic agorithms optimization for RAMS applications. Reliability Engineering System Safety, 91(9) 977-991. 

Vrijling, J.K., van Hengel, W. and Houben, R. J. 1998. Acceptable risk as a basic for design. Journal of Reliability Engineering and System Safety, pp. 141-150. Elsevier. 

Dorre, P. (1989). Basic aspects of stochastic reliability analysis for redundancy systems. Reliability Engineering and System Safety 24(4), 309-326. revised December 2006. 

Statistical assessment of time to failure is a basic topic in reliability engineering for which many mathematical tools have been developed. Evans, who also pioneered the mixed potential theory to explain basic corrosion kinetics, launched the concept of corrosion probability in relation to localized corrosion. According to Evans, an exact knowledge of corrosion rate was less important than the ascertainment of the statistical risk of its initiation [12]. The following examples illustrate the application of empirical modeling in two areas of high criticality. 

Life Data Analysis (Weibull Analysis) An Overview of Basic Concepts, Reliability Engineering Resources http //www.weibull.com/basics/lrfedata.htm. 

Sun, H., Andrews, J. Identification of independent modules in fault trees which contain dependent basic events. Reliability Engineering System Safety 86, 285-296 (2004)... 

Lundteigen, M.A., Rausand, M., Spurious activation of safety instrumented systems in the oil and gas industry Basic concepts and formulas. Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 93,2008,1208-1217. 

For land-based gas turbines, the overall plant output, efficiency, emissions, and reliability are the important variables. In a gas turbine, the processes of compression, combustion, and expansion do not occur in a single component, as they do in a diesel engine. They occur in components that can be developed separately. Therefore, other technologies and components can be added as needed to the basic components, or entirely new components can be substituted. 

The Department of Energy Fundamentals Handbook entitled Instrumentation and Control was prepared as an information resource for personnel who are responsible for the operation of the Department s nuclear facilities. A basic understanding of instrumentation and control is necessary for DOE nuclear facility operators, maintenance personnel, and the technical staff to safely operate and maintain the facility and facility support systems. The information in the handbook is presented to provide a foundation for applying engineering concepts to the job. This knowledge will help personnel more fully understand the impact that their actions may have on the safe and reliable operation of facility components and systems. 

---