Reliability is the probability of an asset operating for a given amount of time without failure. It is a measure of a product's performance that affects both product function and operating and repair costs. More generally, reliability is the capability of parts, components, equipment, products and systems to perform their required functions for desired periods of time without failure, in specified environments and with a desired confidence. Reliability growth is the analysis of the change in reliability over time, usually applied to products under development.

Objective of Reliability Analysis

• The objective of any set of reliability tasks is to design and manufacture a reliable product in a cost effective maintenance manner
• The main objective of reliability growth is allowing the user to predict future reliability values based on the current rate of growth of the reliability measurement of interest

Goal of the Reliability Analysis

Reliability analysis, integrated into the overall business strategy, should provide an optimum balance between the costs to plan and implement the tasks associated with the program, and the "cost of ownership" associated with product warranties, repairs, replacements, etc., during customer use of the product. Minimizing the total life cycle cost of the product is a major factor in improving the supplier's long-term market position.

Statistical Models

Reliability and failure analysis models of the repairable systems focus on the model capability to consider, for a system, a model conceived by a pattern chart (block diagram) plus one or more fault trees. The core is the simulation, using the Monte Carlo method, the functioning of the system, taking into account different maintenance strategies, spare parts and manpower policies, skills in operation and external stress factors.

• Reliability Growth Rate Analysis
• Reliability and Availability
• Reliability Analysis of Repair Data Using Proportional Hazard Model
• System Reliability using Monte Carlo Simulation

Benefits of Reliability Analysis

Reliability analysis techniques can serve a useful purpose beyond the simple assessment of progress in the design of the product.

• Calculate reliability of an asset for target value
• Calculate percentage availability of an asset
• Estimate Mean Residual Life (MRL) of an asset
• Estimate system reliability and availability by perform Monte Carlo simulation