Statistical Reliability Evaluation of a k-out-of-n: G System Subject to Competing Failure Process

Abstract

Many systems in real life can experience failure in two categories such as a soft failure process or a catastrophic failure process. Therefore, failure processes are competing since either failure can cause the system to fail. In this study, a reliability analysis of a k-out-of-n G system which is exposed to a competing failure process is investigated based on different distribution assumptions for a shock magnitude, a damage size, and a wear volume due to continuous degradation. Besides, unlike the research in this field, in a more statistical frame, the reliability results are also examined in detail by considering normal distribution assumption. The reliability results are discussed based on a change in parameters, number of shocks and time. Graphical illustrations are also provided to observe the parameter effects explicitly on the reliability of the system.