Common-mode failure definition

One precise definition of CMF is a common mode failure is the result of an event(s) which because of dependencies, canses a coincidence of failure states of components in two or more separate channels of a redundancy system, leading to the defined systems failing to perform its intended function . 

A preliminary system safety assessment (PSSA) is essential in order to determine (and agree) the depth of assessment needed, the criteria utilised and the manner in which the safety objectives are to be accomplished. The PSSA concentrates on the functions and vulnerabiUties of the system instead of the detailed analysis, and can thus be conducted prior to the definition of the system s architecture. The PSSA remains a live document until the final SSA can be issued. By the preliminary design review (PDR), the PSSA should include functional failure consequences to the aircraft and its occupants consequences of other possible malfunctions of a system (e.g. overheating) and their effects on surrounding systems consequences to the system of failure in other systems or parts of the aircraft, identification of any possible common-mode failures or cascade failures which my need detailed investigation the identification of possible vulnerabilities to flight crew or maintenance error. 

FYom the multitude of intricate corrosion processes in the presence of mechanical action (friction, erosion, vibration, cavitation, fretting and so on) it is justified to touch upon corrosion types joined under a single failure mode induced by mechanical stresses. These are the stresses that govern the corrosion wear rate of metals during friction. Such processes are usually called corrosion stress-induced cracking in the case that the mechanical action is effective only in one definite direction, or otherwise termed corrosion fatigue in the case that compressive and tensile stresses alternate within cycles. In spite of the differences between the appearance of these corrosion types, they have much in common, e.g. fundamental mechanisms, the causes, and they overlap to a certain degree [19]. 

Another common technique for showing probability combinations is called a fault tree. This technique begins with the definition of an "undesirable event," usually a system failure of some type. The analyst continues by identifying all events and combinations of events that result in the identified imdesirable event. The fault tree is therefore quite useful when modeling failures in a specific failure mode. These different failure... 

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