Availability and maintenance of series systems subject to imperfect repair and correlated failure and repair

The series system is one of the most important and common systems in reliability theory and applications. This paper investigates availability, maintenance cost, and optimal maintenance policies of the series system with n constituting components under the general assumption that each component is subject to correlated failure and repair, imperfect repair, shut-off rule, and arbitrary distributions of times to failure and repair. Imperfect repair is modeled through the basic idea of the quasi renewal processes introduced by H. Wang, H. Pham, A quasi renewal process and its applications in imperfect maintenance, International Journal of Systems Science 27(10) (1996) 1055–1062; 28(12) (1997) 1329. System availability, mean time between system failures, mean time between system repairs, asymptotic fractional down time of the system, etc., are derived, and a numerical example is presented to compare with the existing models by R.E. Barlow, F. Proschan, Satistical Theory of Reliability of Life Testing, Holt, Renehart & Winston, NY, 1975. Then two classes of maintenance cost models are proposed and system maintenance cost rates are modeled. Finally, properties of system availability and maintenance cost rates are studied. Optimization models to optimize system availability and/or system maintenance costs are developed, and optimum system maintenance policies are discussed through a numerical example.     

Mathematical modelling and stabilization of large flexible spacecraft subject to orbital perturbation

In this paper the problem of modelling of large flexible spacecraft and their stabilization under the influence of orbital (radial) perturbation is considered. A complete dynamics of the spacecraft consisting of a rigid bus and a flexible beam is derived using Hamilton's principle. The equations of motion consist of a coupled system of partial differential equations governing the vibration of the flexible beam and ordinary differential equations describing the translational and rotational motions of the rigid bus. The asymptotic stability of the system is proved using Lyapunov's approach. Simple feedback controls are suggested for the stabilization of the system. For illustration, numerical simulations are carried out, giving interesting results.     

Combat modelling with partial differential equations

The limitations of the classic work of Lanchester on non-spatial ordinary differential equations for modelling combat are well known. We present work seeking to more realistically represent troop dynamics and to enable a deeper understanding of the nature of conflict. We extend Lanchesters ODEs, constructing a new physically meaningful system of partial differential equations. Spatial force movement and troop interaction components are represented with both local and non-local terms, expanding upon the swarming behaviour of fish and birds proposed by Mogilner et al. We are able to reproduce crucial behaviour such as the emergence of cohesive density profiles and troop regrouping after suffering losses in both one and two dimensions.     

Extended optimal age-replacement policy with minimal repair of a system subject to shocks

An operating system is subject to shocks that arrive according to a non-homogeneous Poisson process. As shocks occur the system has two types of failure: type I failure (minor) or type II failure (catastrophic). A generalization of the age replacement policy for such a system is proposed and analyzed in this study. Under such a policy, if an operating system suffers a shock and fails at age y (⩽t), it is either replaced by a new system (type II failure) or it undergoes minimal repair (type I failure). Otherwise, the system is replaced when the first shock after t arrives, or the total operating time reaches age T (0 ⩽ t ⩽ T), whichever occurs first. The occurrence of those two possible actions occurring during the period [0, t] is based on some random mechanism which depends on the number of shocks suffered since the last replacement. The aim of this paper is to find the optimal pair (t¹, T¹) that minimizes the long-run expected cost per unit time of this policy. Various special cases are included, and a numerical example is given.     

A dyadic age-replacement policy for a periodically inspected equipment item subject to random deterioration

A periodic review replacement system is considered. The amount of deterioration over successive periods forms a sequence of i.i.d. random variables. A replacement policy of the dyadic type is in effect whereby the used equipment item is discarded and immediately replaced by a new identical equipment item if at the end of a period the old equipment has service aged by an amount in excess of S or has been in operation for exactly N periods whichever comes first. Using a theorem on renewal reward processes, an expression for the total steady-state expected cost per period is derived, consisting of a fixed replacement cost and a linear cost of operation. Optimal values of S and N that minimize this steady state cost are computed for a few numerical examples, when the service aging per period has a gamma distribution.     

A multi-objective approach for solving a replacement policy problem for equipment subject to imperfect repairs

This paper proposes a multi-objective approach to model a replacement policy problem applicable to equipment with a predetermined period of use (a planning horizon), which may undergo critical and non-critical failures. Corrective replacements and imperfect repairs are taken to restore the system to operation respectively when critical and non-critical failures occur. Generalized Renewal Process (GRP) is used to model imperfect repairs. The proposed model supports decisions on preventive replacement intervals and the number of spare parts purchased at the beginning of the planning horizon. A Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) coupled with discrete event simulation (DES) is proposed to provide a set of solutions (Pareto-optimum set) committed to the different objectives of a maintenance manager in the face of a replacement policy problem, that is, maintenance cost, rate of occurrence of failures, unavailability, and investment on spare parts. The proposed MOGA is validated by an application example against the results obtained via the exhaustive approach. Moreover, examples are presented to evaluate the behavior of objective functions on Pareto set (trade-off analysis) and the impact of the repair effectiveness on the decision making.     

Queueing model of a hybrid channel with faster link subject to partial and complete failures

This paper presents a Markovian queueing model for a hybrid channel consisting of two links with different throughputs. The busy faster link is assumed to be unreliable, with possible partial and complete failures. Partial failures lead to a reduction in the service rate, while complete failure stops the service. Repairs return the faster server to a non-failed state. The problem of the optimal allocation of customers between the servers is considered. The optimality of a threshold-based policy that depends on the failure state of the faster server is proved. The dynamic behaviour of the system for the given threshold policy is described by a four-dimensional Markov process that can be treated as a QBD process with a large number of boundary states. Stationary analysis of the system is performed by means of a matrix-geometric approach, and the main performance measures are derived.     

Existence of weak solutions to a system of nonlinear partial differential equations modelling ice streams

This paper deals with the mathematical analysis of a nonlinear system of three differential equations of mixed type. It describes the generation of fast ice streams in ice sheets flowing along soft and deformable beds. The system involves a nonlinear parabolic PDE with a multivalued term in order to deal properly with a free boundary which is naturally associated to the problem of determining the basal water flux in a drainage system. The other two equations in the system are an ODE with a nonlocal (integral) term for the ice thickness, which accounts for mass conservation and a first order PDE describing the ice velocity of the system. We first consider an iterative decoupling procedure to the system equations to obtain the existence and uniqueness of solutions for the uncoupled problems. Then we prove the convergence of the iterative decoupling scheme to a bounded weak solution for the original system.     

A bivariate optimal replacement policy for a system subject to a generalized failure and repair process

Traditionally, in the studies of the optimal maintenance policies for repairable systems, the nonhomogeneous Poisson process model, which corresponds to the minimal repair process, has been intensively applied. However, in many practical situations, the repair type is not necessarily minimal. In this article, a new repair process based on a new counting process model (so‐called the generalized Polya process) is introduced. Then, the issue of the optimal replacement problem is discussed. A bivariate preventive replacement policy is developed and the properties of the optimal policy are studied. Illustrative examples are also presented. In addition, a comparison with a conventional replacement policy is performed.     

Probabilistic analysis of a system with dependent units having a single repair facility subject to preventive maintenance

The paper deals with the availability and the reliability analysis of a system with dependent units having a single repair facility subject to preventive maintenance. The system initially consists of n-identical units (connected in parallel) each with failure rate λ_n. The failure rate of a unit at any given instant of time depends upon the number of units operating at that instant. The time to repair of a failed unit and the time for maintenance of the repair- facility are arbitrarily distributed whereas the time to failure of a unit is exponentially distributed. The results obtained have been compared with those obtained when the repair facility is not subject to preventive maintenance.     

On a production-inventory system of deteriorating items subject to random machine breakdowns with a fixed repair time

This paper considers the impact of random machine breakdowns on the classical Economic Production Quantity (EPQ) model for a product subject to exponential decay and under a no-resumption (NR) inventory control policy. A product is manufactured in batches on a machine that is subject to random breakdowns in order to meet a constant demand over an infinite planning horizon. The product is assumed to have a significant rate of deterioration and time to deterioration is described by an exponential distribution. Also, the time-to-breakdown is a random variable following an exponential distribution. Under the NR policy, when a breakdown occurs during a production run, the run is immediately aborted. A new run will not be started until all available inventories are depleted. Corrective maintenance of the production system is carried out immediately after a breakdown and it takes a fixed period of time to complete such an activity. The objective is to determine the optimal production uptime that minimizes the expected total cost per unit time consisting of setup, corrective maintenance, inventory carrying, deterioration, and lost sales costs. A near optimal production uptime is derived under conditions of continuous review, deterministic demand, and no shortages.     

Algebraic properties of evolution partial differential equations modelling prices of commodities

Schwartz (J. Finance 1997; 52 :923–973) presented three models for the pricing of a commodity. The simplest was a variation on the Black–Scholes equation. The second allowed for a stochastic convenience yield on the commodity and the third added a stochastic variation in the underlying interest rate. We apply the techniques of Lie group analysis to resolve these equations, discuss their peculiar algebraic properties and indicate the route to the addition of other stochastic influences. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of a time‐dependent coefficient in a partial differential equation subject to an extra measurement

The problem of recovering a time‐dependent coefficient in a parabolic partial differential equation has attracted considerable recent attention. Several finite difference schemes are presented for identifying the function u(x, t) and the unknown coefficient a(t) in a one‐dimensional partial differential equation. These schemes are developed to determine the unknown properties in a region by measuring only data on the boundary. Our goal has been focused on coefficients that presents physical quantities, for example, the conductivity of a medium. For the convenience of discussion, we will present the results of numerical experiment on several test problems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2005     

Optimal age-replacement time with minimal repair based on cumulative repair-cost limit for a system subject to shocks

An operating system is subject to random shocks that arrive according to a non-homogeneous Poisson process and cause the system failed. System failures experience to be divided into two categories: a type-I failure (minor), rectified by a minimal repair; or a type-II failure (catastrophic) that calls for a replacement. An age-replacement model is studied by considering both a cumulative repair-cost limit and a system’s entire repair-cost history. Under such a policy, the system is replaced at age T, or at the k-th type-I failure at which the accumulated repair cost exceeds the pre-determined limit, or at any type-II failure, whichever occurs first. The object of this article is to study analytically the minimum-cost replacement policy for showing its existence, uniqueness, and the structural properties. The proposed model provides a general framework for analyzing the maintenance policies, and presents several numerical examples for illustration purposes.     

Identification of temperature‐dependent thermophysical properties in a partial differential equation subject to extra final measurement data

We consider an inverse problem for estimating the two coefficient functions c and k in a parabolic type partial differential equation c(u)u_t = ?[k(u)u_x]/?x with the aid of the measurements of u at two different times. The first‐ and second‐order one‐step group preserving schemes are developed. Solving the resultant algebraic equations with a closed‐form, we can estimate the unknown temperature‐dependent thermal conductivity and heat capacity. The new methods possess threefold advantages: they do not require any a priori information on the functional forms of thermal conductivity and heat capacity; no initial guesses are required; and no iterations are required. Numerical examples are examined to show that the new approaches have high accuracy and efficiency, even there are rare measured data. When the measured temperatures are polluted by uniform or normal random noise, the estimated results are also good. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2007     

Approximate partial Noether operators and first integrals for cubically coupled nonlinear Duffing oscillators subject to a periodically driven force

The approximate first integrals for a system of two cubically coupled nonlinear Duffing oscillators subject to a periodically driven force are constructed with the help of approximate partial Noether approach. Firstly, approximate partial Noether operators associated with a partial Lagrangian are derived. Then approximate first integrals are obtained for both the resonant and non-resonant cases.     

Distributed modelling of propagation of computer viruses/worms by partial differential equations

Two distributed Partial Differential Equations-based (PDES-based) mathematical models of propagation of computer viruses are derived for the first time. It is shown that experimental studies and inverse problems should be two main topics of further research of these models. The recently developed so-called globally convergent convexification numerical method of the author and Timonov is a good candidate to be a base of corresponding inverse algorithms.     

Scheduling subject to nonrenewable-resource constraints

Polynomially bounded solution methods are presented to solve a class of precedence constrained scheduling problems in which each job requires a certain amount of nonrenewable resource that is being consumed during its execution.