Common cause failures: Implementation of a simplified Alpha Factor model

Abstract

The approach used to quantify the risk of common cause failures can have a large impact on both model complexity and the resulting estimation of risk. Within the space community, much attention has been given to the various common cause risk quantification techniques due to the significant impact of common cause failures on system reliability. This paper is intended to provide probabilistic risk assessment analysts in space and other industries with practical guidance for implementing a simplification of the common cause Alpha Factor method that reduces model complexity while allowing the analysts to tailor the model to specific component failure criteria.