A Comparison of Pearl String and Horizon Method in Terms of Reliability Demonstration Testing

In the last decade much progress was made using the probability of test success $(P_{ts})$ metric in order to find an optimal test strategy for single stage loads considering Success Run and End of Life tests, see [1]–[3]. In this paper a study is conducted comparing different strategies in terms of $P_{ts}$ values using the Pearl String and Horizon methods for reliability test planning while applying different operating load spectra. The results reveal the Horizon method generally achieves higher $P_{ts}$ values, indicating a superior performance. However, the importance of considering the cost-effectiveness of achieving higher $P_{ts}$ leads to further information to optimize test planning. Thus, the study suggests that the optimal approach to reliability test planning is dependent on the operating load spectra, the test strategy, number of specimen and the associated values for $P_{ts}$ and cost.