Time-dependent logic for goal-oriented dynamic-system analysis

The problem to be addressed in this paper is the need for adequate methodologies to use in analyzing systems which are inherently dynamic and require analysis that is explicitly time dependent. This paper highlights an error that can arise in analyzing accident scenarios when time dependence is ignored. A simple straight-forward solution is provided without the necessity of utilizing more powerful (and hence more complex) dynamic event tree techniques. This possible solution is a straightforward extension of the current fault-tree/event-tree approach by incorporating a time-dependent algebraic formalism into fault-tree/event-tree analysis. A goal tree provides a success-oriented logic structure to efficiently implement the time-dependent logic for dynamic system analysis.