The transformed inverse Gaussian process as an age- and state-dependent degradation model

In this paper, a transformed inverse Gaussian (TIG) process is introduced as a new family of monotonic degradation models. Different from most state-of-the-art degradation models, which can only characterize age-dependent performance degradation, the TIG process model is mainly introduced for degradation modelling of industrial products with age- and state-dependent performance degradation. With this new model, promising properties include (1) the modelling capability for characterizing products observed at discrete time points with age- and state-dependent degradation, (2) the mathematical tractability for calculating the reliability function and remaining useful life distribution with high efficiency, and (3) the modelling flexibility of incorporating explanatory variables and random effects for investigating a product population with unit-to-unit heterogeneity. To facilitate the degradation modelling and analysis, methods for parameter estimation and model selection are developed under a coherent Bayesian framework. Simulation studies and real cases are presented to demonstrate the proposed degradation model and the Bayesian methods.     

正态—复合Weibull过程模型结构可靠性当量正态设计

本文讨论强度R～N(μR,σ_R~2),应力为{S(t),t∈[0,T]}为复合Weibull过程模型结构可靠性当量正态设计,获得应力在设计基准期[0,T]内的最大值概率分布及统计参数估计,正态—复合Weibull过程模型结构可靠度和结构可靠性当量正态设计表达式。     

A degradation path-dependent approach for remaining useful life estimation with an exact and closed-form solution

Remaining useful life (RUL) estimation is regarded as one of the most central components in prognostics and health management (PHM). Accurate RUL estimation can enable failure prevention in a more controllable manner in that effective maintenance can be executed in appropriate time to correct impending faults. In this paper we consider the problem of estimating the RUL from observed degradation data for a general system. A degradation path-dependent approach for RUL estimation is presented through the combination of Bayesian updating and expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. The use of both Bayesian updating and EM algorithm to update the model parameters and RUL distribution at the time obtaining a newly observed data is a novel contribution of this paper, which makes the estimated RUL depend on the observed degradation data history. As two specific cases, a linear degradation model and an exponential-based degradation model are considered to illustrate the implementation of our presented approach. A major contribution under these two special cases is that our approach can obtain an exact and closed-form RUL distribution respectively, and the moment of the obtained RUL distribution from our presented approach exists. This contrasts sharply with the approximated results obtained in the literature for the same cases. To our knowledge, the RUL estimation approach presented in this paper for the two special cases is the only one that can provide an exact and closed-form RUL distribution utilizing the monitoring history. Finally, numerical examples for RUL estimation and a practical case study for condition-based replacement decision making with comparison to a previously reported approach are provided to substantiate the superiority of the proposed model.     

Dynamics of an Infinite Beam under Stochastic Moving Forces

The problem regarding the dynamic response of an infinite beam resting on two-parametric foundation to the passage of a train of random forces is studied. This train of forces idealizes the flow of vehicles having random weights and travelling at the same speed. It is assumed that the occurrence process is either a Poisson or a renewal (Erlang) process. Two different situations and solutions are presented: one for the arbitrary locations of the forces and another when one of the forces is located in such a way that the response of the beam has the maximal value. The first model can be used to estimate the reliability of the beam with respect to fatigue, the second model can be useful in the reliability with respect to the maximal response. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

基于性能退化的动量轮可靠性建模与评估

为解决长寿命卫星动量轮可靠性评估无失效数据问题,研究基于性能退化的动量轮可靠性建模与评估方法.首先通过失效分析,提出以温度作为动量轮可靠性的特征量.然后利用动量轮温度的遥测数据,建立其温度随时间变化的叠合模型.为解决动量轮试验样本量不足问题,采用Bootstrap仿真方法建立动量轮寿命分布模型,评估其可靠性水平.实例表明,方法能够在无失效数据情况下,利用性能退化数据评估动量轮可靠性,且具有较高精度,为解决无失效数据条件下长寿命卫星动量轮可靠性建模与评估问题提供了一条有效途径.     

Analysis of the reliability and the maintenance cost for finite life cycle systems subject to degradation and shocks

This paper deals with a deteriorating system subject to two different causes of failure: internal continuous degradation and sudden shocks. The degradation process is modelled using a gamma process. It is assumed that the system fails when the deterioration level reaches a critical threshold. Furthermore, sudden shocks arrive at the system at random times following a non-homogeneous Poisson process. When a sudden shock takes place, the system fails. To control the system reliability, a condition-based maintenance is applied. Under this maintenance policy, availability measures of the system are obtained. It is shown that these measures fulfil Markov renewal equations. A recursive method is developed to compute these measures. Furthermore, the maintenance cost of this system is analysed. Traditionally, the maintenance cost is analysed assuming an infinite time span. However, most systems have a finite life cycle and the application of the asymptotic approach is questionable. In this paper, the maintenance cost is analysed considering a finite life cycle. A recursive method, which combines numerical integration and Monte Carlo simulation, is developed to obtain the expected cost rate in the finite life cycle and its associated standard deviation.     

基于ARMAS(p,q)退化冲击模型可靠性的预测

在实际的工程应用中,系统自身的许多因素和随机环境随着时间的影响,会引起系统的退化和损坏。在退化模型中,系统的可靠度是重要的研究指标,系统的退化达到预警前的预测也十分必要。基于此,提出了ARMAS(p,q)退化冲击模型,并用线性最小方差方法给出了冲击强度未来n步的预测值,并在正态假设下,推导出预测值Y_t-n|Y_t,Y_t-1,…的置信水平为1-α的置信区间。此模型的提出,为有效控制系统损坏带来的经济损失提供了预判。也为退化冲击模型的研究框架的进一步扩展提供了理论支撑,将在可靠性领域有广泛的应用。     

Reliability inference of stress–strength model for the truncated proportional hazard rate distribution under progressively Type-II censored samples

This paper considers the reliability inference for the truncated proportional hazard rate stress–strength model based on progressively Type-II censoring scheme. When the stress and strength variables follow the truncated proportional hazard rate distributions, the maximum likelihood estimation and the pivotal quantity estimation of stress–strength reliability are derived. Based on the percentile bootstrap sampling technique, the 95% confidence interval of stress–strength reliability is obtained, as well as the related coverage percentage. Moreover, based on the Fisher Z transformation and the modified generalized pivotal quantity, the 95% modified generalized confidence interval for the stress–strength reliability is obtained. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated by the Monte Carlo simulation. The numerical results show that the pivotal quantity estimators performs better than the maximum likelihood estimators. At last, two real datasets are analyzed by the proposed methodology for illustrative purpose. The results of real example analysis show that our model can be applied to the practical problem, the truncated proportional hazard rate distribution can fit the failure data better than other distributions, and the algorithms in this paper are suitable to handle the small sample data.     

Computing confidence intervals for output-oriented DEA models: an application to agricultural research in Brazil

We define and model the research production at Embrapa, the major Brazilian institution responsible for applied agricultural research. The main theoretical framework is data envelopment analysis. We explore the economic interpretation and the statistical properties of these models to compute confidence intervals for output-oriented efficiency measurements. It was based on a parametric flexible model, defined by the truncated normal distribution. Intervals are calculated exploring a bootstrap approach. These results provide a better insight on the efficiency classification and allow comparisons among the decision making units involved in the evaluation process, taking into account random errors and inefficiency random variation.     

Nonlinear general path models for degradation data with dynamic covariates

Degradation data have been widely used to estimate product reliability. Because of technology advancement, time‐varying usage and environmental variables, which are called dynamic covariates, can be easily recorded nowadays, in addition to the traditional degradation measurements. The use of dynamic covariates is appealing because they have the potential to explain more variability in degradation paths. We propose a class of general path models to incorporate dynamic covariates for modeling of degradation paths. Physically motivated nonlinear functions are used to describe the degradation paths, and random effects are used to describe unit‐to‐unit variability. The covariate effects are modeled by shape‐restricted splines. The estimation of unknown model parameters is challenging because of the involvement of nonlinear relationships, random effects, and shaped‐restricted splines. We develop an efficient procedure for parameter estimations. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated by simulations. An outdoor coating weathering dataset is used to illustrate the proposed method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fitting discrete phase-type distribution from censored and truncated observations with pre-specified hazard sequence

Phase-type distribution allows approximation of non-Markovian models, which permits to analyze complex systems under Markovian deterioration. In addition, reliability data is often composed of truncated and censored observations. This paper presents a novel approach that fits a restricted class of discrete phase-type distribution through pre-specified hazard sequence from incomplete observations. Numerical results are shown using Balakrishnan’s mimicked power transformers dataset. Furthermore, it can be used to fit transition probabilities of maintenance optimization’s Markov decision process models from incomplete reliability data.     

Bayesian inference for the power law process

The power law process has been used to model reliability growth, software reliability and the failure times of repairable systems. This article reviews and further develops Bayesian inference for such a process. The Bayesian approach provides a unified methodology for dealing with both time and failure truncated data. As well as looking at the posterior densities of the parameters of the power law process, inference for the expected number of failures and the probability of no failures in some given time interval is discussed. Aspects of the prediction problem are examined. The results are illustrated with two data examples.     

Distributions of numbers of runs and scans on directed acyclic graphs with generation

In this paper, we introduce a class of a directed acyclic graph on the assumption that the collection of random variables indexed by the vertices has a Markov property. We present a flexible approach for the study of the exact distributions of runs and scans on the directed acyclic graph by extending the method of conditional probability generating functions. The results presented here provide a wide framework for developing the exact distribution theory of runs and scans on the graphical models. We also show that our theoretical results can easily be carried out through some computer algebra systems and give some numerical examples in order to demonstrate the feasibility of our theoretical results. As applications, two special reliability systems are considered, which are closely related to our general results. Finally, we address the parameter estimation in the distributions of runs and scans.     

Reliability and covariance estimation of weighted k-out-of-n multi-state systems

In the literature of reliability engineering, reliability of the weighted k-out-of-n system can be calculated using component reliability based on the structure function. The calculation usually assumes that the true component reliability is completely known. However, this is not the case in practical applications. Instead, component reliability has to be estimated using empirical sample data. Uncertainty arises during this estimation process and propagates to the system level. This paper studies the propagation mechanism of estimation uncertainty through the universal generating function method. Equations of the complete solution including the unbiased system reliability estimator and the corresponding unbiased covariance estimator are derived. This is a unified approach. It can be applied to weighted k-out-of-n systems with multi-state components, to weighted k-out-of-n systems with binary components, and to simple series and parallel systems. It may also serve as building blocks to derive estimators of system reliability and uncertainty measures for more complicated systems.     

Truncated software reliability growth model

Due to the large scale application of software systems, software reliability plays an important role in software developments. In this paper, a software reliability growth model (SRGM) is proposed. The testing time on the right is truncated in this model. The instantaneous failure rate, mean-value function, error detection rate, reliability of the software, estimation of parameters and the simple applications of this model are discussed.     

Study of cut-set distributions in the fuzzy reliability evaluation models

The performances of the cut-set distributions in the fuzzy reliability evaluation are studied based on cut-set method. Firstly, a theorem is proved to indicate the convergence defect of the model with the three commonly used cut-set distributions, including uniform distribution, linear distribution and truncated normal distribution. Secondly, a general method is proposed to construct a new family of cut-set distributions named intrinsic cut-set distributions, and three specific intrinsic cut-set distributions are obtained based on this method, including modified truncated normal distribution, truncated lognormal distribution and truncated Weibull distribution. Thirdly, numerical examples are carried out to verify the above theoretical results. It is shown that, compared with the three commonly used cut-set distributions, the proposed intrinsic cut-set distributions make the evaluation more stable and the fuzzy reliability model achieve good convergence at the boundary cases, which could effectively improve the evaluation accuracy and broaden the application of the model. Finally, some recommendations are given to show how to choose a suitable cut-set distribution in practice.     

Improved techniques for parametric and nonparametric evaluations of the first‐passage time for degradation processes

For degradation data in reliability analysis, estimation of the first‐passage time (FPT) distribution to a threshold provides valuable information on reliability characteristics. Recently, Balakrishnan and Qin (2019; Applied Stochastic Models in Business and Industry, 35:571–590) studied a nonparametric method to approximate the FPT distribution of such degradation processes if the underlying process type is unknown. In this article, we propose some improved techniques based on saddlepoint approximation, which enhance those existing methods. Numerical examples and Monte Carlo simulation studies are used to illustrate the advantages of the proposed techniques. Limitations of the improved techniques are discussed and some possible solutions to such are proposed. Some concluding remarks and practical recommendations are provided based on the results.     

威布尔分布或极值分布可靠度置信下限的回归表示

对于定数截尾样本，给出了基于极值分布的位置和尺度参数的最好线性无偏估计（BLUE），获得了威布尔分布的可靠度的点估计和置信限之间的回归模型，从而可由威布 尔可靠度的点估计根据回归方程得到可靠度的置信下限，省去了大量的用表，为实际工作者带来了极大的方便，计算结果表明，回归方程有很高的精度。     

治愈率模型在屏蔽数据可靠性分析中的应用研究

针对传统方法中的不足,在引入标准治愈率模型的基础上,提出在屏蔽数据可靠性分析中应用一种扩展的治愈率模型的建模方法;分析证明了利用该方法进行建模分析时仅需对模型作较少的前提假设,在信息不足的情况下能够识别出伴随变量对系统寿命分布的影响,进而有效提高模型估计的稳健性.通过运用基于Gibbs抽样的MCMC方法动态模拟出相关参数后验分布的马尔可夫链,给出随机截尾条件下模型参数的贝叶斯估计;实例分析的结果,证明了该模型在可靠性应用中的直观性与有效性.     

Degradation modeling with subpopulation heterogeneities based on the inverse Gaussian process

This study proposes a random effects model based on inverse Gaussian process, where the mixture normal distribution is used to account for both unit-specific and subpopulation-specific heterogeneities. The proposed model can capture heterogeneities due to subpopulations in the same population or the units from different batches. A new Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm is developed for point estimation and the bias-corrected bootstrap is used for interval estimation. We show that the EM algorithm updates the parameters based on the gradient of the loglikelihood function via a projection matrix. In addition, the convergence rate depends on the condition number that can be obtained by the projection matrix and the Hessian matrix of the loglikelihood function. A simulation study is conducted to assess the proposed model and the inference methods, and two real degradation datasets are analyzed for illustration.