Possibilistic reliability function analysis of multi-state systems

Abstract

Possibilistic reliability theory is the study of reliability based on the principles of possibility theory. In this paper, the possibilistic reliability function of multi-state system is redefined and analyzed utilizing the possibility distribution of system lifetime. In order to express the internal relationship between system state and residual lifetime, state corresponding most possible residual lifetime (MPRL) is defined as the system's most possible remaining lifetime under the state. Thus, addressing the system reliable level as keeping a specified state at a specified moment, the system possibilistic reliability can be obtained through the functional relationship between system state and the corresponding MPRL. As a result, a numerical example is developed to illustrate the theory.