A new concept in reliability modeling

Abstract

A concept called criticality is defined and its use in reliability analysis and apportionment is discussed. Criticality of a component is defined as the probability of system failure if that particular component fails. This concept is simple to use and can be integrated into the development of extension of models of classical reliability theory to increase their practical value. It can also be used by those system designers who are applying the notion of graceful degradation in their design.<>