Optimization of redundancy allocation for series parallel systems with multiple constraints and sensitivity analysis

Abstract

In the present scenario of global competition and liberalization, it is imperative that newlineIndian industries become fully conscious of the need to produce reliable products meeting newlinewith international standards. Even though the science RELIABILITY ENGINEERING newlinehas taken birth during World War II with a significant contribution by defense personnel, newlinetoday it has taken a new shape by blending itself in all phases of the product life cycle newlinefrom proposal to manufacturing. It is a known fact that reliability program increases the newlineinitial cost of every device, instrument or system and also it is true that the reliability newlinedecreases when the complexity of the system increases. In this type of complex situation, newlinereliability of a product or service is best assured when it is designed by the Design newlineEngineer and built-in by Production Engineer, rather than conducting externally an newlineexperiment by an Industrial Engineer. newlineThe important difference between quality and reliability is that one can manufacture newlinereliable systems using less reliable components, where it is not possible to manufacture newlinehigh quality components. Adding one or more similar components in parallel can newlineincrease the reliability of the system. The reliability of a system can be maximized newlinesubject to the resource constraints. The optimum number of redundant components for newlineeach stage required can be determined when the reliability of each component is known. newlineIn other situation, the reliability of the system can be maximized when the number of newlineredundant units in each stage known. newlineIn literature, many techniques are available to solve the problems in these two newlinesituations. Misra K.B. [54] developed a simple algorithm for the solution of redundant newlineoptimization problem. Lientz B.P. [46] applied a stochastic method of allocation of newlineii newlinecomponents by using the method of implicit enumeration to maximize the system newlinereliability subject to cost constraint for the given component reliability value. newlineMcLeavey D.W. [50] used the implicit enumeration technique for solving reliability newlineop