An expression for probability density function ( pdf ) of a K – out – of N : G system is proposed. A simple, fast and memory efficient recursive algorithm computes the pdf of K – out – of N : G system with unequal component failure probabilities. The special cases of constant failure rate, Weibull failure time distributions are provided for illustrating the results.

Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) has been extensively used for examining potential failures in products, processes, designs and services. An important issue of FMEA is the determination of risk priorities of the failure modes that have been identified. The traditional FMEA determines the risk priorities of failure modes using the so-called risk priority numbers (RPNs), which require the...

Physics of Failure models are mathematically derived, deterministic models based on knowledge of failure mechanisms and the root causes of failures. Failure rates are predicted based on stresses, material properties, individual use and environmental conditions. Fixed Vanes are primarily used in fluid machines (turbines, pumps, and windmills etc.) and in aircraft (control surfaces) apart from a ...

This paper describes how the effects of possible component failures on an electrical system can be predicted through simulation of the correct behavior of the system, and repeated simulation of versions of the system containing faulty components. The results of such simulation are useful both for failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), and for diagnosis. Such results have been used commercial...

Load-sharing systems have several practical applications. In load-sharing systems, the event of a component failure will result in a higher load, therefore inducing a higher failure rate, in each of the surviving components. This introduces failure dependency among the load-sharing components, which in turn increases the complexity in analyzing these systems. In this paper, we provide a closed-...

SEMATECH has sponsored a " Test Method Evaluation " study to understand the trade-offs among the most common test methodologies used in the industry[1,2]. This paper presents the results of the failure analysis portion of that project. The testing, reliability stressing, characterization, fault diagnosis and physical analysis results are presented for 25 devices including " IDDq-only " failures...

Technical systems are prevalent in many areas of our society. Nowadays they often include a considerable amount of software. Identification and avoidance of technical risks is of major importance in the development of these softwareintensive technical systems. A powerful analysis technique in the development process for technical systems is the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). This tec...

The paper presents a multi-factor decision-making approach for prioritizing failure modes as an alternative to traditional approach of failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA). The approach is based on the ‘technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution’ (TOPSIS). The priority ranking is formulated on the basis of six parameters (failure occurrence, non-detection, maintainability...

The oil well drilling process is the selected representative of a challenging industrial process. The drilling process is becoming more complex as oil fields mature and technology evolves. At the same time, the amount of information is increasing in volume and frequency. Although technology is advancing, failures occur at almost the same rate as before, leading to loss of valuable time. Wheneve...

This paper proposes a methodology for mitigating the occurrence of cascading failure in stressed power systems. The methodology is essentially based on predicting voltage instability in the power system using a voltage stability index and then devising a corrective action in order to increase the voltage stability margin. The paper starts with a brief description of the cascading failure mechan...