Track 2 Session 10

9:10 to 10:10 a.m. Thursday, June 17, 2010

Why Markov Analysis?

This presentation focuses on Markov Analysis (MA) vs. Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) as applied to System Reliability Analyses (SRA). It provides a review of some FTA, MA and SRA basics and answers the question of why and when MA is required. MA is compared with FTA and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. In order to better understand MA, a discussion on combinatorial vs. non-combinatorial logic is presented, along with some samples of combinatorial vs. non-combinatorial type problems. Failure effects of combinatorial and/or non-combinatorial configurations should not be confused with failure effects of constant vs. non-constant failure rate devices. To highlight and stress the distinction, the differences in the failure effects of constant and non-constant failure rate devices are also discussed. Solutions of non-combinatorial type problems typically involve solutions to simultaneous differential equations. Therefore, a review of some mathematical methods for solving these equations is also presented.

Key Words: Markov Analysis (MA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), System Reliability Analysis (SRA), Component Reliability, System Reliability, Combinatorial Logic, Non-Combinatorial Logic, State Diagrams, Constant Failure Rate, Non-Constant Failure Rate

Vito Faraci Jr.

VFJ Consultants

Stony Brook, New York