Reliability Analysis and Optimization of Multi-state Systems

Multi-state system is defined as a system, where components and system are allowed to have an arbitrary number of performance levels.

Bibliography:

Last updated Feb. 10. 2005

(Compiled by A. Lisnianski, G. Levitin, E. Korczak)

Main definitions, properties, reliability measures

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[1.134]. Jing-An Li, Yue Wu, Kin Keung Lai and Ke Liu. Reliability estimation and prediction of multi-state components and coherent systems. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Vol.88, No.1, 2005, pp.93-98.

 

[1.135]. C. M. Rocco, M. Muselli. Approximate multi-state reliability expressions using a new machine learning technique. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Vol.89, No.3, 2005, pp. 261-270.

 

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[1.137]. Wenjian Li, Hoang Pham, Reliability modeling of multi-state degraded systems with multi-competing failures and random shocks, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, 2005, Vol.54, No.2 June, pp.297-303.

 

[1.138]. G. Levitin, The Universal Generating Function in Reliability Analysis and Optimisation. Springer-Verlag: Berlin, 2005. ISBN: 1-85233-927-6, XVIII, 442 p. 142 illus. Series: Springer Series in Reliability Engineering.

 


Reliability bounding and asymptotic analysis

[2.1]. D. Butler, Bounding the reliability of multistate systems, Operations Research, vol. R-30, 1982, pp 530-544.

[2.2]. J. Hudson, K. Kapur, Reliability bounds for multistate systems with multistate components, Operations Research, vol 33, 1985, pp 735-744.

[2.3]. J. Collet, Some Remarks on Rare-Event Approximation, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. 45, NO. 1, 1996 March, pp 106-108.

[2.4]. O. Pourret, J. Collet, J-L. Bon, Evaluation of the unavailability of a multistate-component system using a binary model, Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 64 (1999) 13-17.

[2.5]. K. Kolowrocki K. An asymtotic approach to Multi-state systems reliability evaluation, Recent Advances in Reliability Theory, Methodology, Practice and Inference, Limnios N., Nikulin M. (eds.), Birkhauser, 2000, pp. 163-180.

[2.6]. K. Reinshke, I. Ushakov, Application of Graph Theory for Reliability Analysis, (in Russian), Radio i Sviaz, Moscow, 1988. (also published in German by Springer, Munchen-Vein, 1988, by Verlag Technik, Berlin, 1987)

[2.7]. K. Kolowrocki, An availability modeling of a transportation systems, 2-nd International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Reliability, Methodology, Practice and Inference, MMR'2000, Bordeaux, France, July 4-7, 2000, pp.607-610.

[2.8]. K. Kolowrocki, Reliability and Risk Evaluation of Large Scale Multistate System, 17th International System Safety Conference, August 16-21, 1999, Orlando, Florida

[2.9]. K. Kolowrocki, Asymtotic approach to reliability evaluation of rope transportation system, Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 71, (2000), pp. 57-64.

[2.10]. K. Kolowrocki, On a class of limit reliability functions of some regular homogeneous series-parallel systems. Reliability Engineering and System Safety 39, No 1, 1993, 11-23.

[2.11]. K. Kolowrocki, On asymptotic reliability functions of series-parallel and parallel-series systems with identical components. Reliability Engineering and System Safety 41, 1993, 251-257.

[2.12]. K. Kolowrocki, Limit reliability functions of some series-parallel and parallel-series systems. Applied Mathematics and Computation 62, 1994, 129-151.

[2.13]. K. Kolowrocki, The classes of asymptotic reliability functions for series-parallel and parallel-series systems. Reliability Engineering and System Safety 46, No 2, 1994, 179-188.

[2.14]. K. Kolowrocki, On a class of limit reliability functions for series-parallel and parallel-series systems. International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping 61, 1995, 541-569.

[2.15]. K. Kolowrocki, Asymptotic reliability functions of some nonhomogeneous series-parallel andparallel-series systems. Applied Mathematics and Computation 73, 1995, 133-151.

[2.16]. K. Kolowrocki, On application of asymptotic reliability functions to the reliability and risk evaluation of pipelines. International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping 75, Iss 7, 1998, 545-558.

[2.17]. K. Kolowrocki, Asymptotic approach to system reliability analysis (in Polish), Warsaw: Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Science, 2001, 215 p.

[2.18]. K. Kolowrocki, Reliability evaluation of large scale pipeline systems, Safety and reliability, Schueller, Kafka (eds), 1999, Balkema, Rotterdam, ISBN 90 5809 109 0, pp. 323-328

[2.19]. K. Kolowrocki, Asymptotic approach to reliability and risk evaluation of large piping transportation and energy distribution systems, Foresight and Precaution, Cottam, Harvey, Pape, Tait (eds), 2000, Balkema, Rotterdam, ISBN 90 5809 140 6, pp. 1201-1207

[2.20]. K. Kolowrocki, On limit reliability functions of large systems. In: Statistical and Probabilistic Models in Reliability. Edited by V. Ionescu & N. Limnios. Birkhauser, Boston, (1999), pp.153-183 (Chapter 11). 11.4. Remarks on limit reliability functions of multi-state systems. pp.172-182.

[2.21]. B. Lindqvist, H. Langseth. Uncertainty bounds for a monotone multistate system, Probability in the Engineering and Informational Sciences, 12, 1998, pp. 239-260.

[2.22]. E. Funnemark, B. Natvig, Bounds for the availabilities in a fixed time interval for multistate monotone systems. Adv. Appl. Prob. 17 (1985), 638-655.

[2.23]. B. Natvig, Improved upper bounds for the availabilities in a fixed time interval for multistate monotone systems. Adv. Appl. Prob. 18 (1986), 577-579.

[2.24]. B. Natvig, Strict and exact bounds for the availabilities in a fixed time interval for multistate monotone systems. Scand. J. Statist. 20 (1993), 171-175.

[2.25]. S. Iyer, Asymptotic performance of a multistate coherent system. Advances in Applied Probability , Vol.20, (1988), pp.241-243.

[2.26]. X. L. Li Bounds for the availability and unavailability of multistate monotone coherent systems. Chinese Journal of Applied Probability and Statistics , Vol.2, No.4, (1986), pp.347-353. (in Chinese)

[2.27]. K. Kolowrocki, On limit reliability functions of large multi-state systems with ageing components. Applied mathematics and computation 121, (2001), 313-361.

[2.28]. B. Lindqvist, Bounds for the reliability of multistate systems with partially ordered state spaces and stochastically monotone Markov transitions, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway, Preprint, Statistics No.11/2002.

[2.29]. Meng F.C. A note on two reliability lower bounds for multistate systems. Probability in the Engineering and Informational Sciences, Vol.16, No.4, pp. 485-498. (2002).

 

[2.30]. Lindqvist B., Bounds for the Reliability of Multistate Systems with Partially Ordered State Spaces and Stochastically Monotone Markov Transitions,  International Journal of Reliability, Quality and Safety Engineering, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 235-248, (2003).

 

[2.31]. Kolowrocki K., Asymptotic Approach to Reliability Analysis of Large Systems with Degrading Components,  International Journal of Reliability, Quality and Safety Engineering, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 249-288, (2003).

 

[2.32]. Kolowrocki K., Reliability of Large Systems, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2004.

 

[2.33]. Meng F.C., Comparing two reliability upper bounds for multistate systems, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Vol.87, No.1, 2005, pp.31-36.

 


 

Component importance

[3.1]. D. Butler, A complete importance ranking for components of binary coherent systems with extensions to multistate systems, Naval Research Logistics, vol 26, 1979 December, pp 556-578.

[3.2]. W. Griffith, Multistate reliability models, J. Applied Probability, vol. 17, 1980, pp 735-744.

[3.3]. B. Natvig, Recent developments in multistate reliability theory. In Probabilistic Methods in the Mechanics of Solids and Structures. IUTAM Symposium, Stockholm 1984. Springer-Verlag, Berlin 1985, 385-393.

[3.4]. T. Aven, R. Ostebo, Two new component importance measures for a flow network system, Reliability Engineering, Vo. 14, pp. 75-80, 1986

[3.5]. A. Bossche, Calculation of Critical Importance for Multi-State Components, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. R-36, NO. 2, 1987 June, pp 247-249.

[3.6]. B. Natvig, Reliability: Importance of components. In Encyclopedia of Statistical Sciences, Vol. 8 (1988), 17-20.

[3.7]. V.C. Bueno, On the importance of components for multistate monotone systems. Statistics & Probability Letters , Vol.7, (1988), pp.51-60.

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[3.9]. A.D. Dharmadhikari, U.V. Naik-Nimbalkar, The importance of an item in a multistate system. Journal of the Operations Research Society of Japan , Vol.35, (1992), pp.31-44.

[3.10]. M. Finkelstein, Once more on measures of importance of system components, Microelectron. Reliab. 34, 1994, pp. 1431-1439.

[3.11]. M. Armstrong, Reliability-Importance and Dual Failure-Mode Components, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. 46, NO. 2, 1997 June, pp 212-221.

[3.12]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, Importance and sensitivity analysis of multi-state systems using universal generating functions method, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 65, pp. 271-282, 1999.

[3.13]. S. Wu, L. Chan, Performance utility analysis of multi-state systems, IEEE Trans. Reliability, vol. 52, pp.14-21, (2003).

[3.14]. E. Zio, L. Podofillini, Monte Carlo simulation analysis of the effects of different system performance levels on the importance of multi-state components, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 82, pp.63-73, (2003).

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[3.16]. G. Levitin, L. Podofillini, E. Zio, Generalized importance measures for multi-state elements based on performance level restrictions, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 82, pp. 287-298, (2003).

 

[3.17]. V.C. Bueno. Generalizing the importance of components for multistate monotone systems. Rebrape  Revista Brasileira de Probabilidade e Estatistica, 1989, Vol.3, No.1, pp.1-11.

 

[3.18]. V.C. Bueno and I. Norros, Component importance through compensator transforms. Rebrape  Revista Brasileira de Probabilidade e Estatistica,  1992, Vol.6, No.2, pp.153-161.

 

[3.19]. Y. Dutuit, A. Rauzy, J-P. Signoret, P. Tomas, An Insight into Two Methods for Performance Assessment of Multi-state Systems, Fourth International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Reliability Methodology and Practice, June 21-25, 2004 Santa Fe, New Mexico.

 

[3.20]. Tian Hong, Chen Bao-zhi, Wu Qiong, Gao Yong-ting, Multistate system reliability and uncertainty importance of its components, Journal of Northeastern University (Natural Science) [Shenyang, China], Vol.21, No.6, 2000, pp.634-636.

 

[3.21].  Zio E.; Podotillini L., A Monte Carlo approach to the estimation of importance measures of multi-state components, 2004 Annual Reliability and Maintainability Symposium, 2004, pp.129-134.

 

[3.22].  E. Zio, L. Podofillini, G. Levitin, Estimation of the importance measures of multi-state elements by Monte Carlo simulation, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Vol.86, No.3, 2004, pp.191-204.

 

[3.23]. G. Levitin, Protection survivability importance in systems with multilevel protection, Quality and Reliability Engineering International, No. 20, pp. 727-738 (2004).

 

[3.24]. J.E. Ramirez-Marquez, D.W. Coit. Multi-state component criticality analysis in multi-state systems. In Advances in Safety and Reliability,  Kołowrocki (ed.) 2005, Taylor & Francis Group, London. pp. 1671-1677.

 

[3.25]. J.E. Ramirez-Marquez, D.W. Coit, Composite importance measures for multi-state systems with multi-state components, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, 2005, Vol.54, No 3 September, pp.517-529.

 

[3.26]. Sh. Wu, Joint importance of multi-state systems, Computers and Industrial Engineering, 2005, Vol.49, No 1, pp. 63-75.

 


 

Consecutively-connected systems and networks with multi-state components

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[4.2]. J. Evans, Maximum flow in probabilistic graphs: The discrete case, Networks, Vol. 6, (1976), pp. 161-183.

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[4.5]. F.K. Hwang , Y.C. Yao, Multistate consecutively-connected systems. IEEE Transactions on Reliability, Vol.38, October No.4, (1989), pp.472-474.

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[4.8]. M. Haim, Z. Porat, Bayes reliability modeling of a multistate consecutive k-out-of-n: F system, Proceedings Annual Reliability And Maintainability Symposium, 1991, pp. 582-586.

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[4.16]. J. Malinowski, W. Preuss, Reliability of a 2-way linear consecutively-connected system with multistate components, Microelectronics and Reliability, vol. 36, 1996, pp. 1483-1488.

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[4.18]. J. Malinowski, W. Preuss, Reliability evaluation for tree-structured systems with multistate components, Microelectronics and Reliability, 1996, vol. 36, pp. 9-17.

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[4.20]. J. Malinowski, W. Preuss, Reliability of a two-way circular consecutively-connected system with multistate components, Microelectronics and Reliability, 1997, vol. 37, pp. 1255-1258.

[4.21]. W. Yeh, A Revised Layered-Network Algorithm to Search for all d-Minpaths of a Limited-Flow Acyclic Network, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. 47, No. 4, 1998, pp. 436-442.

[4.22]. V. Rykov, E. Stavrovsky. Influence of the Network Equipment Reliability on the Quality of Gas Supplying, 2-nd International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Reliability, Methodology, Practice and Inference, MMR'2000, Bordeaux, France, July 4-7, 2000, pp. 931-934.

[4.23]. H. Kotner, RAMA - a Software Tool for RAM-analysis, Second International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Reliability: Methodology, Practice and Inference, Volume 2, pp. 618 - 621, Bordeaux, France, July 4-7, 2000.

[4.24]. W. Yeh, A simple approach to search for all d-MCs of limited-flow network, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 71 (1) 2001, pp.15-19.

[4.25]. G. Levitin, Reliability evaluation for acyclic consecutively connected networks with multistate elements, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 73 (2) 2001, pp.137-143.

[4.26]. G. Levitin, Reliability evaluation for linear consecutively-connected systems with multistate elements and retransmission delays, Quality and Reliability Engineering International, 17 (5), 2001, pp. 373-378.

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[4.28]. P. Varshney, A. Joshi, P. Chang, Reliability modeling and performance evaluation of variable link-capacity networks, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. 43, No. 3, 1994, pp. 378-382.

[4.29]. J. Somers, Maximum flow in networks with small number of random arc capacities, Networks, Vol. 12, 1982, pp.241-253.

[4.30]. R. Hassin and E. Zemel, Probabilistic analysis of the capacitated transportation problem, Mathematics of Operations Research, vol. 13 (1988), pp. 80-89.

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[4.32]. G. Levitin, Optimal allocation of multi-state elements in linear consecutively-connected systems with delays, Int. Journal of Reliability, Quality and Safety Engineering, vol. 9, pp.89-108, 2002.

[4.33]. G. Levitin, Linear multi-state sliding window systems, in Proc. of 3 Int. Conf. on mathematical methods in reliability, MMR 2002, June 17-20, 2002, Trondheim, Norway,pp. 381-384.

[4.34]. Y. Lin, A simple algorithm for reliability evaluation of a stochastic-flow network with node failure, Computers and Oper. Research, 28 (2001), 1277-1285.

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[4.39]. G. Levitin, Maximizing survivability of acyclic transmission networks with multi-state retransmitters and vulnerable nodes, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 77, pp.189-199, (2002).

[4.40]. G. Levitin, Reliability of acyclic transmission networks with constant transmission characteristics of lines, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 78, pp.297-305, (2002).

[4.41]. W. Yeh, Search for all d-Mincuts of a limited-flow network, Computers & Operations Research, 2002, Vol.29, No.13, pp.1843-1858.

[4.42]. G. Levitin, Optimal allocation of multi-state elements in a linear consecutively-connected system, IEEE Trans. Reliability, vol. 52, pp.192-199, (2003).

[4.43]. G. Levitin, Optimal allocation of multi-state elements in linear consecutively-connected systems with vulnerable nodes, European Journal of Operational Research, vol. 150, pp. 406-419, (2003).

[4.44]. G. Levitin, Reliability evaluation for acyclic transmission networks of multi-state elements with delays, IEEE Trans. Reliability, vol. 52, pp.231-237, (2003).

[4.45]. G. Levitin, Linear multi-state sliding window systems, IEEE Trans. Reliability, vol. 52, pp.263-269, (2003).

[4.46]. Lin Y-K. Extend the quickest path problem to the system reliability evaluation for a stochastic-flow network. Computers and Operations Research, Vol.30, No.4, pp. 567-575, (2003).

 

[4.47]. Lin Y-K. Using minimal cuts to study the system capacity for a stochastic-flow network in two-commodity case. Computers and Operations Research, Vol.30, No.11, pp. 1595-1607, (2003).

 

[4.48]. Yeh W-C. An evaluation of the multi-state node networks reliability using the traditional binary-state networks reliability algorithm. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Vol.81, No.1, pp.1-7, (2003).

 

[4.49]. Yeh W-C. Multistate-node acyclic networks reliability evaluation based on MC. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Vol.81, No.2, pp. 225-231, (2003).

 

[4.50]. Zuo M., Fang Z., Huang J., Xu X.,  Performance Evaluation of Decreasing Multi-State Consecutive-k-out-of-n: G Systems, International Journal of Reliability, Quality and Safety Engineering, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 345-358, (2003).

[4.51]. J.P. Jarvis, D.R. Shier, An improved algorithm for approximating the performance of stochastic flow networks, INFORMS Journal on Computing, Vol.8, No.4, pp.355-360, (1996).

 

[4.52]. Y-K. Lin, Study on the multicommodity reliability of a capacitated-flow network, Computers and Mathematics with Applications, Vol.42, No.1-2, pp. 255-264, (2001).

 

[4.53]. Y-K. Lin, J. Yuan, A new algorithm to generate d-minimal paths in a multistate flow network with noninteger arc capacities, International Journal of Reliability, Quality, and Safety Engineering, Vol.5, No.3, pp.269-285, (1998).

 

[4.54]. Y-K.  Lin, J. Yuan, Flow reliability of a probabilistic capacitated-flow network in multiple node pairs case, Computers and Industrial Engineering, Vol.45, No.3, pp.417-428, (2003).

 

[4.55] S. Patra, R.B. Misra, Evaluation of probability mass function of flow in a communication network considering a multistate model of network links, Microelectronics and Reliability, Vol.36, No.3, pp.415-421, (1996).

 

[4.56] H. Pham, A. Suprasad, R. B. Misra, Reliability analysis of k-out-of-n systems with partially repairable multi-state components, Microelectronics and Reliability, Vol.36, No.10, pp.1407-1415, (1996).

 

[4.57]. C. R. Tripathy, S. Patra, R. B. Misra, R. N. Mahapatra, Reliability evaluation of multistage interconnection networks with multistate elements, Microelectronics and Reliability, Vol. 36, No.3, pp.423-428, (1996).

 

[4.58]. M.O. Ball, C.J. Colbourn and J.S. Provan, Network reliability, Chapter 11 in: Handbooks in Operations Research and Management Science, Vol.7: Network Models, edited by M.O. Ball, T.L. Magnanti, C.L. Monma and G.L. Nemhauser, North-Holland, Amsterdam, pp. 673-762 (1995).

 

[4.59]. J. Huang, M. J. Zuo, Zh. Fang, Multi-state consecutive-k-out-of-n systems, IIE Transactions, 2003, Vol.35, No.6, pp.527-534.

 

[4.60]. G. Levitin, Element availability importance in generalized k-out-of-r-from-n systems, IIE Transactions, 2003, vol. 35, pp. 1125-1131.

 

[4.61]. Yeh W.-C., Multistate network reliability evaluation under the maintenance cost constraint, International Journal of Production Economics, 2004, Vol.88, pp. 73-83.

 

[4.62]. W. Gaul and J. Hartung, Multistate reliability problems for GSP-digraphs. In: Contributions to Operations Research. Proceedings of the Conference on Operations Research held in Oberwolfach, February 26-March 3, 1984.  Edited by K. Neumann and D. Pallaschke. Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems, 240. Springer, Berlin, 1985, pp.41-53.

 

[4.63]. G. Shmueli, Computing Reliabilities of Large Consecutive-Type Systems, Fourth International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Reliability Methodology and Practice, June 21-25, 2004 Santa Fe, New Mexico.

 

[4.64]. M. Zuo, Zh. Fang, J. Huang, X. Xu, Performance Evaluation of Multi-State Consecutive-k-out-of-n:G, Fourth International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Reliability Methodology and Practice, June 21-25, 2004 Santa Fe, New Mexico.

 

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[4.67]. Ramirez-Marquez J.E., Coit D.W, Alternative approach for analyzing multistate network reliability, Proceedings of the Industrial Engineering Research Conference (IERC), Portland, OR, May 2003.

 

[4.67].  Ramirez-Marquez J.E., Coit D.W, A Monte-Carlo simulation approach for approximating multi-state two-terminal reliability, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Vol.87, No.2, 2005, pp. 253-264.

 

[4.68]. G. Levitin, Reliability of linear multi-state multiple sliding window systems, Naval Research Logistics Vol. 52(3), 2005, pp.212-223.

 

[4.69]. L. Podofillini1, E. Zio, M. Marella. A multi-state Monte Carlo simulation model of a railway network system. In Advances in Safety and Reliability,  Kołowrocki (ed.) 2005, Taylor & Francis Group, London. pp. 1567-1575.

 

[4.70]. G. Levitin, Uneven allocation of elements in linear multi-state sliding window system, European Journal of Operational Research, 2005, Vol.163, No.2 June, pp.418-433.

 

[4.71]. Y. Chen, Q. Yang, Reliability of two-stage weighted-k-out-of-n systems with components in common, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, 2005, Vol.54, No 3 September, pp.431-440.

 

 


Extensions of binary techniques

[5.1]. S. Salem, G. Apostolakis, D. Okrent, A New Methodology for the Computer-Aided Construction of Fault Trees, Annals of Nuclear Energy, 4:417433, 1977.

[5.2]. L. Caldarola, Fault-tree analysis of multistate systems with multistate components. Proceedings of the American Nuclear Society Topical Meting on Probability Analysis of Nuclear Reactors Safety , Vol.3, Los Angeles, La Grande Park, CA, May 1978, Paper No VIII-1.

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[5.5]. S. Garriba, P. Mussio, F. Naldi, Multivalued logic in the representation of engineering systems, Synthesis and Analysis Methods for Safety and Reliability Studies, G. Apostolakis, S. Garriba, and G. Volta eds., Plenum Press, 1980, pp 183-197.

[5.6]. E. Ogunbiyi, E. Henley, Irredundant forms and prime implicants of a function with multistate variables, IEEE Transaction on Reliability, vol. R-30, 1981 April, pp 39-42.

[5.7]. Xizhi Huang Fault tree analysis method of a system having components of multiple failure modes. Microelectronics and Reliability, Vol.23, (1983), pp.325-328.

[5.8]. Xizhi Huang The generic method of the multistate fault-tree analysis. Microelectronics and Reliability, Vol.24, (1984), pp.617-622.

[5.9]. A. Wood, Multistate Block Diagrams and Fault Trees, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. R-34, NO. 3, 1985 August, pp 236-240.

[5.10]. S. Garriba, E. Guagnini, P. Mussio, Multiple-Valued Logic Trees: Meaning and Prime Implicants, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. R-34, NO. 5, 1985 December, pp 463-470.

[5.11]. A. Bossche, Top-frequency calculation of multi-state fault trees including inter-state frequencies. Microelectronics and Reliability, Vol.26, No.3, (1986), pp.481-482.

[5.12]. A. Bossche, Fault Tree Analysis and Synthesis. Delft University of Technology. ( Ph.D. thesis ) (1988).

[5.13]. G.T. Hogasen, About multistate fault-trees. Statistical Research Report , No.3, Institute of Mathematics, University of Oslo, 1988 May.

[5.14]. Y. Kai, Multistate fault-tree analysis. Reliability Engineering & System Safety , Vol.28, No.1, (1990), pp.1-7.

[5.15]. W.W. Charlesworth, S.S. Rao, Reliability analysis of continuous mechanical systems using multistate fault trees. Reliability Engineering and System Safety , Vol.37, (1992), pp.195-206.

[5.16]. E. Shields, G. Apostolakis, S. Guarro, Determining the prime implicants for multi-state embedded systems. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Probabilistic Safety Assessment and Management. March 20-25, San Diego, CA, 1994.

[5.17]. C. Garrett, S. Guarro, G. Apostolakis, The Dynamic Flowgraph Methodology for Assessing the Dependability of Embedded Software Systems,IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, 25:824-840, 1995.

[5.18]. M. Yau, G. Apostolakis, S. Guarro, The use of prime imlicants in dependability analysis of software controlled systems, Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 62, (1998), pp23-32.

[5.19]. C. Jun, S. Chang, Y. Hong, H. Yang, A Bayesian approach to prediction of system failure rates by criticalities under event trees,Int. Journal of Production Economics, 60-61, 1999, pp.623-628.

[5.20]. X. Zang, H. Sun, K.S. Trivedi. A BDD-based algorithm for analysis of multistate systems with multistate components. Technical Report. Center for Advanced Computing and Communication, Duke University, (1998).

 

[5.21]. Xinyu Zang, Dazhi Wang, Hairong Sun, K.S. Trivedi, A BDD-based algorithm for analysis of multistate systems with multistate components, IEEE Transactions on Computers, Vol.52, No.12, pp.1608-1618, (2003).

 

[5.22]. E. Korczak, Binary Representations of Multistate Monotone Systems, Fourth International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Reliability Methodology and Practice, June 21-25, 2004 Santa Fe, New Mexico.

 

[5.23]. E. Zaitseva, V. Levashenko, K. Matiaško, S. Puuronen. Dynamic reliability analysis of the k-out-of-n Multi-State System. In Advances in Safety and Reliability,  Kołowrocki (ed.) 2005, Taylor & Francis Group, London. pp. 2079-2086.

 

[5.24]. J.E. Ramirez-Marquez, D.W. Coit, M. Tortorella. A multistate based generalized path vector approach for multistate two-terminal reliability. In Advances in Safety and Reliability,  Kołowrocki (ed.) 2005, Taylor & Francis Group, London. pp. 1661-1669.

 

[5.25]. E. Korczak, Binary representations of multi-state systems. Chapter 21 in: Modern Statistical and Mathematical Methods in Reliability. Alyson Wilson, Nikolaos Limnios, Sallie Keller-McNulty & Yvonne Armijo (editors). World Scientific Publishing Co., New Jersey, 2005, pp.293-306 (14p.). Series on Quality, Reliability and Engineering Statistics, Vol.10. ISBN 981-256-356-3.

 


Multi-state systems with several failure modes

[6.1]. J. Wu, R. Chen, An algorithm for computing the reliability of weighted-k-out-of-n systems, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. 43, No. 2, 1994, pp. 327-328.

[6.2]. L. Nordmann, H. Pham, Weighted voting systems, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. 48, No. 1, 1999, pp. 42-49.

[6.3]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, Reliability optimization for weighted voting system, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 71, pp. 131-138, 2001.

[6.4]. G. Levitin, Optimal unit grouping in weighted voting systems, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 72, pp. 179-191, 2001.

[6.5]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, Structure Optimization of Multi-state System with Two Failure Modes, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 72, pp. 75-89, 2001.

[6.6]. G. Levitin, Analysis and optimization of weighted voting systems consisting of voting units with limited availability, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 73, pp. 91-100, 2001.

[6.7]. G. Levitin, Asymmetric weighted voting systems, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 76, pp.199-206, 2002.

[6.8]. G. Levitin, Optimal series-parallel topology of multi-state system with two failure modes, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 77, pp.93-107, (2002).

[6.9]. G. Levitin, Evaluating correct classification probability for weighted voting classifiers with plurality voting, European Journal of Operational Research, vol. 141, pp.596-607, (2002).

[6.10]. G. Levitin, Threshold optimization for weighted voting classifiers, Naval Research Logistics, vol. 50 (4), pp.322-344, (2003).

[6.11]. Yacoub S. Analyzing the behavior and reliability of voting systems comprising tri-state units using enumerated simulation. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Vol.81, No.2, pp.133-145, (2003).

 

[6.12]. Levitin G. Reliability of multi-state systems with two failure modes, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. 52, No. 3, pp. 340-348 (2003).

 

[6.13].  M. Xie, H. Pham,  Modelling the reliability of threshold weighted voting systems, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Vol.87, No.1, 2005, pp.53-63.

[6.14]. G. Levitin, Weighted voting systems: reliability versus rapidity, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 89(2) pp. 177-184 (2005).

[6.15]. G. Levitin. Weighted voting systems: The decision making time aspect. In Advances in Safety and Reliability,  Kołowrocki (ed.) 2005, Taylor & Francis Group, London. pp. 1253-1258.


Optimization

[8.1]. I. Ushakov, Optimal standby problem and a universal generating function. Soviet Journal Computer and System Science. 1987, 25, pp. 61-73.

[8.2]. I. Ushakov. Solution of Multi-Criteria Discrete Optimization Problems Using a Universal Generating Function. Soviet Journal of Computer and System Sciences , Vol. 25, No. 5, 1987

[8.3]. E. El-Neweihi, F. Proschan, J. Sethuraman, Optimal allocation of multistate components. In: Handbook of Statistics, Vol.7: Quality Control and Reliability. Edited by P.R.Krishnaiah, C.R.Rao. North-Holland, Amsterdam, (1988), pp.427-432.

[8.4]. A. Lisnianski, H. Ben Haim, D. Elmakis, Redundancy optimization for power station, Proceedings 10th International Confer. of Israel Society for Quality, Jerusalem, Israel, 1994: 313-318

[8.5]. A.Lisnianski, G. Levitin, H. Ben-Haim, D. Elmakis, Power system structure optimization subject to reliability constraints, Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 39, No.2, pp.145-152, 1996.

[8.6]. A. Lisnianski, G. Levitin, H. Ben-Haim, D. Elmakis, Multi-level technical system structure optimization subject to reliability constraints. Proceedings of 11 International Conference of the Israel Society for Quality, Jerusalem, Israel, pp 518-523, 1996.

[8.7]. F. Meng, More on optimal allocation of components in coherent systems. Journal of Applied Probability , Vol.33, 1996, pp.548-556.

[8.8]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, D. Elmakis, Structure optimization of power system with different redundant elements, Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 43, No.1, pp.19-27, 1997.

[8.9]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, D. Elmakis, H. Ben-Haim, Genetic algorithm for optimal long term power system maintenance and development planning, Th. of 1-st Mediterranean Conference on Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution, Lefkosia (Nicosia), Cyprus, 1998.

[8.10]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, H. Ben Haim, D. Elmakis, Redundancy optimization for series-parallel multistate systems, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. 47, No. 2, pp. 165-172, 1998.

[8.11]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, Joint redundancy and maintenance optimization for multistate series-parallel systems, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol.64, No.1, pp.33-42, 1998.

[8.12]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, Optimal multistage modernization of power system subject to reliability and capacity requirements, Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 50, pp. 183-190, 1999.

[8.13]. M. Zuo, L. Choy, R. Yam, A Model for Optimal design of Multi-state parallel-series systems, Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1999, IEEE Canadian Conference, Vol. 3, pp. 1751-1754.

[8.14]. C. Chen, M. Meng, M. Zuo, Selective Maintenance Optimization for Multi-state Systems. Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1999, IEEE Canadian Conference, Vol. 3, pp. 1477-1482.

[8.15]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, Optimization of imperfect preventive maintenance for multi-state systems, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 67, pp. 193-203, 2000.

[8.16]. A. Lisnianski, G. Levitin, H. Ben Haim, Structure optimization of multi-state system with time redundancy, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 67, pp. 103-112, 2000.

[8.17]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, Optimal replacement scheduling in multi-state series-parallel systems (short communication), Quality and Reliability Engineering International, vol. 16, pp. 157-162, 2000.

[8.18]. G. Levitin, Multi-state series-parallel system expansion scheduling subject to availability constraints, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. 49, pp. 71-79, 2000.

[8.19]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, Structure optimization of power system with bridge topology, Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 45, pp. 201-208, 1998.

[8.20]. A. Lisnianski, G. Levitin, Universal generating function application to multi-state system reliability analysis & optimization, Proc. of MMR 2000, Second Int. Conf. on Mathematical Methods in Reliability, 2000, pp. 715-718.

[8.21]. M. Zuo, B. Liu, D. Murthy, Replacement-repair policy for multi-state deteriorating products under warranty , European Journal of Operational Research, 123, 2000, pp. 519-530.

[8.22]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, H. Ben-Haim, D. Elmakis, Genetic algorithm and universal generating function technique for solving problems of power system reliability optimization, Proc. of DRPT 2000, Int. Conf. on Electric Utility Deregulation and Restructuring and Power Technologies, 2000, pp. 582-586.

[8.23]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, A new approach to solving problems of multi-state system reliability optimization, Quality and Reliability Engineering International, vol. 47, pp. 93-104, 2001.

[8.24]. G. Levitin, Redundancy optimization for multi-state system with fixed resource-requirements and unreliable sources, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. 50, pp. 52-59, 2001.

[8.25]. G. Levitin, Optimal allocation of multi-state retransmitters in acyclic transmission network, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 75, pp.73-82, (2001).

[8.26]. G. Levitin, Allocation of test times in multi-state systems for reliability growth testing, IIE Transactions, vol. 34, No. 6, 2002, pp. 551-558

[8.27]. G. Levitin, Optimal allocation of elements in linear multi-state sliding window system, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 76, pp.247-255, 2002.

[8.28]. U. Gurler, A. Kaya, A maintenance policy for a system with multi-state components: an approximate solution, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 76, pp 117-127, 2002.

[8.29]. D. Dascalu, D. Ionescu, Optimizing the maintenance strategy of multi-state systems with several failure modes, in Proc. of 3 Int. Conf. on mathematical methods in reliability, MMR 2002, June 17-20, 2002, Trondheim, Norway,pp. 177-180.

[8.30]. D. Hsieh, K. Chiu, Optimal maintenance policy in a multistate deteriorating standby system, European Journal of Operational Research, vol. 141, pp.689-698, (2002).

[8.31]. Levitin G., Lisnianski A., Multi-state system reliability analysis and optimization (universal generating function and genetic algorithm approach). In: Handbook of Reliability Engineering, H. Pham (Ed.), Springer, pp.61-90, (2003).

 

[8.32]. Ramirez-Marquez J.E., Coit D.W., A heuristic for solving the redundancy allocation problem for multi-state series-parallel systems, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, , vol. 83,  pp. 341-349, (2004).

 

[8.33]. Chao-Ton Su, Cheng-Chang Chang, Minimization of the life cycle cost for a multistate system under periodic maintenance, International Journal of Systems Science, 2000, Vol.31, No.2, pp.217-227.

 

[8.34]. M. Nourelfath and N. Nahas, Ant Colony Optimization to Redundancy Allocation for Multi-state Systems, Fourth International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Reliability Methodology and Practice, June 21-25, 2004 Santa Fe, New Mexico.

 

[8.35]. G. Levitin, Fault-tolerant Software as Multi-State System, Fourth International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Reliability Methodology and Practice, June 21-25, 2004 Santa Fe, New Mexico.

 

[8.36]. M. Nourelfath, Y. Dutuit, A combined approach to solve the redundancy optimization problem for multi-state systems under repair policies, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Vol.86, No.3, 2004, pp.205-213.

 

[8.37]. G. Levitin, Optimal version sequencing in fault-tolerant programs, Asia-Pacific Journal of Operational Research, 22(1) pp. 1-18 (2005).

 

[8.38]. Tian Z.,  Zuo M., Huang H. Reliability-redundancy allocation for multi-state series-parallel systems. In Advances in Safety and Reliability,  Kołowrocki (ed.) 2005, Taylor & Francis Group, London. pp. 1925-1930.

 

[8.39]. M. Nourelfath, D. Ait-Kadi. Redundancy optimization for multi-state systems under repair policies. In Advances in Safety and Reliability,  Kołowrocki (ed.) 2005, Taylor & Francis Group, London. pp. 1465-1471.

 

[8.40].  G. Levitin, Optimal structure of fault-tolerant software systems, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 2005, Vol.89, No.3 September, pp.286-295.

 


Coherency

[9.1]. L. Caldarola, Coherent systems with multistate components, Nucl. Eng. Design, vol 58, 1980, pp 127-139.

[9.2]. M. N. Fardis, C. A. Cornell, Analysis of coherent multistate systems, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol R-30, 1981, pp. 117-122.

[9.3]. B. Natvig, Two suggestions of how to define a multistate coherent system, Adv. Appl. Probability, vol 14, 1982, pp 434-455.

[9.4]. J. C. Hudson, K. C. Kapur, Modules in Coherent Multistate Systems, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. R-32, NO. 2, June 1983, pp 183-185.

[9.5]. W.D.S. Borges, F.W. Rodrigues An axiomatic characterization of multistate coherent systems. Mathematics of Operations Research , Vol.8, (1983), pp.435-438.

[9.6]. F. Ohi, T. Nishida, Generalized multistate coherent systems. Journal of Japan Statistical Society, Vol.13, (1983), pp.165-181.

[9.7]. B. Natvig, A. Streller, The steady-state behavior of multistate monotone systems, J. Applied Probability, vol. 21, 1984, pp 826-835.

[9.4]. F. Ohio, T. Nishida, On multistate coherent systems, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. R-33, 1984 October, pp 284-287.

[9.9]. J. Ansell, A. Bendell, On alternative definitions of multistate coherent systems. Optimization , Vol.18, (1987) pp.119-136.

[9.10]. F. Ohi, T. Nishida, Generalized multistate coherent systems. Abstract of Meeting of Operations Research Society of Japan , Spring 1988, pp.91-94.

[9.11]. A. Abouammoh, M.Al-Kadi, Component Relevancy in Multistate Reliability Models, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. 40, NO. 3, 1991 August, pp 370-375.

[9.12]. I. Kuhnert Comment on: "Component relevancy in multistate reliability models". IEEE Transactions on Reliability , Vol.44, No.1 March, (1995), pp.95-96.

[9.13]. U. Rakowsky, Theory and Applications of Multistate Coherent Systems in Reliability Engineering (in German). VDI 8-286 (Association of German Engineers), Dusseldorf: VDI-Verlag, 160 p., 1992.

[9.14]. F. Meng, Component-relevancy and characterization in multistate systems, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol 42, 1993 September, pp 478-483.

[9.15]. U. Rakowsky, Continuous Multistate Coherent Systems in Reliability Engineering (in German). Automatisierungstechnik, Vol. 43, No. 4, pp. 174-180, 1995.


Non-coherent systems

[10.1]. A. Bendell, J. Ansell, The incoherency of multistate coherent systems, Reliability Engineering, vol 8, 1984, pp 165-178.

[10.2]. A. Bossche, The top-event failure frequency for non-coherent multistate fault trees, Microelectronics Reliability, 1984, 24(4), pp 707-715.

[10.3]. K. Kolowrocki, Limit reliability functions of some nonhomogeneous series-parallel and parallel-series systems, Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 46, 1994, pp. 171-177.


 

Application of Markov, semi-Markov processes and combinatorial analysis

[11.1]. N.H. Hjort, B. Natvig, E. Funnemark, The association in time of a Markov process with application to multistate reliability theory. J. Appl. Prob. 22 (1985), 473-479.

[11.2]. B.H. Lindqvist, Monotone and associated Markov chains, with applications to reliability theory. Journal of Applied Probability, Vol.24, 1987, pp.679-695.

[11.3]. M. Veeraraghavan, K. S. Trivedi, A Combinatorial Algorithm for Performance and Reliability Analysis Using Multistate Models, IEEE Transactions on Computers, Vol. 43, 1994, pp. 226-229.

[11.4]. J. Xue, K. Yang, Dynamic Reliability Analysis of Coherent Multistate Systems, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, vol. 44, NO. 4, 1995, December, pp 683-688.

[11.5]. Sahner R. A., Trivedi K. S., Poliafito A., Performance and reliability analysis of computer systems . An example-based approach using the SHARPE software package. Boston: Kluwer Academic, 1996.

[11.6]. I.N. Kovalenko, N.Y. Kuznetsov, and P.A. Pegg, Mathematical Theory of Reliability of Time Dependent Systems with Practical Applications, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York (1997)

[11.7]. F. Grabski, K. Kolowrocki, Asymptotic reliability of multistate systems with semi-Markov states of components, Safety and reliability, Schueller, Kafka (eds), 1999, Balkema, Rotterdam, ISBN 90 5809 109 0, pp. 317-322

[11.8]. X. Zang, H. Sun and K. Trivedi, A BDD approach to dependability analysis of distributed computer systems with imperfect coverage, Dependable Network Computing, D. R. Avresky (ed.), Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands, Dec. 1999, pp. 167-190.

[11.9]. X. Zang, H. Sun and K. Trivedi, A BDD-based Algorithm for Reliability Analysis of Phased-Mission Systems, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 50--60, March 1999.

[11.10]. B. Dimitrov, V. Rykov, P. Stanchev, On multi-state reliability systems, in Proc. of 3 Int. Conf. on mathematical methods in reliability, MMR 2002, June 17-20, 2002, Trondheim, Norway,pp. 201-204.

[11.11]. U. Gurler, and A. Kayab, A maintenance policy for a system with multi-state components: an approximate solution, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Vol. 76, pp. 117-127

[11.12]. M. Lanus, L. Yin, K. Trivedi, Hierarchical composition and aggregation of state-based availability and performability models, IEEE Trans. Reliability, vol. 52, pp.44-52, (2003).

[11.13]. Chen D., Cao Y., Trivedi K.,  Hong Y., Preventive Maintenance of Multi-State System with Phase-Type Failure Time Distribution and Non-Zero Inspection Time,  International Journal of Reliability, Quality and Safety Engineering, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 323-344, (2003).

[11.14]. J. Gasemyr, B. Natvig, Probabilistic modelling of monitoring and maintenance of multistate monotone systems with dependent components, Dept. of Math., University of Oslo, Statistical Research Report, Preprint 12, (2003).

 

[11.15]. Y. Lefebvre, Using the phase method to model degradation and maintenance efficiency, International Journal of Reliability, Quality and Safety Engineering, Vol. 10, No. 4, pp.383-405, (2003).

 

[11.16]. A. Linianski, Application of Semi-Markov Processes and Universal Generating Function Technique for
Multi-state System Reliability Evaluation, Fourth International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Reliability Methodology and Practice, June 21-25, 2004 Santa Fe, New Mexico.

 

[11.17]. V. Rykov, B. Dimitrov, P. Stanchev, Reliability of Complex Hierarchical Systems with Fault Tolerant Units, Fourth International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Reliability Methodology and Practice, June 21-25, 2004 Santa Fe, New Mexico.

 

[11.18]. V. Rykov,  D. Efrosinin, On Reliability Control of Fault Tolerance Units, Fourth International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Reliability Methodology and Practice, June 21-25, 2004 Santa Fe, New Mexico.

 

[11.19]. M. Szczerbinski. Multi-state reliability models for lightning hazard assessment, International Journal of Reliability, Quality and Safety Engineering, Vol. 11, No. 1 (2004) 35-46.

[11.20]. J. Li, Y. Wu, K. Lai, K. Liu, Reliability estimation and prediction of multi-state components and coherent systems, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 88, pp. 93-98, 2005.

[11.21]. Lisnianski A. Extended block diagram method for multi-state system reliability assessment. In Advances in Safety and Reliability,  Kołowrocki (ed.) 2005, Taylor & Francis Group, London. pp. 1277-1283.

 

[11.22]. J.S. Ivy, S.M. Pollock, Marginally monotonic maintenance policies for a multi-state deteriorating machine with probabilistic monitoring, and silent failures, IEEE Transactions on Reliability, 2005, Vol.54, No 3 September, pp.489-497.

 


Common cause failures

[12.1]. G. Levitin, Incorporating common-cause failures into series-parallel multi-state system analysis, IEEE Transactions on Reliability vol. 50, No. 4, 2001, pp. 380-388.

[12.2]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, Optimal separation of elements in vulnerable multi-state systems, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 73, pp. 55-66, 2001.

[12.3]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, Survivability maximization for vulnerable multi-state system with bridge topology, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 70, pp. 125-140, 2000.

[12.4]. G. Levitin, A. Lisnianski, Optimizing survivability of vulnerable series-parallel multi-state systems, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 79, pp.319-331, (2003).

[12.5]. G. Levitin, Optimal multilevel protection in series-parallel systems, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 81, pp. 93-102, (2003).

[12.6]. G. Levitin, Y. Dai, M. Xie, K. L. Poh, Optimizing survivability of multi-state systems with multi-level protection by multi-processor genetic algorithm, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 82, pp.93-104, (2003).

[12.7]. G. Levitin, Common supply failures in linear multi-state sliding window systems, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 82, pp.55-62, (2003).

[12.8]. G. Levitin, Maximizing survivability of vulnerable weighted voting system, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 83, pp.17-26, (2003).

[12.9]. G. Levitin, Multi-state series-parallel systems with Multilevel Protection, in Proc. of The 8th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering Theory, Applications and Practice,  Las Vegas, Nevada, US, pp. 980-985.

 

[12.10]. E. Korczak, G. Levitin, H. Ben Haim, Survivability of series-parallel systems with multilevel protection, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol.90/1, pp.45-54 (2005).

 


Continuous systems

[13.1]. Block, H. W. , Savits, T. H. (1984) Continuous multi-state structure functions. Operations Research, 32, 703-714.

[13.2]. Baxter, L. A. (1984) Continuum structures. I. Journal of Applied Probability, 21, 802-815.

[13.3]. Baxter, L. A. (1986) Continuum structures II. Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, 99, 331-338.

[13.4]. Baxter, L. A. and Kim, C. (1986) Bounding the stochastic performance of continuum structure functions I. Journal of Applied Probability, 23, 660-669.

[13.5]. Baxter, L. A. and Lee S. M., (1989) Structure Functions with Finite Minimal Vector Sets. Journal of Applied Probability, 26, 196-201.

[13.6]. Mak, K., (1989) A Note on Barlow-Wu Structure Functions. Operation Research Letters, 8, pp. 43-44.

[13.7]. Iyer, S. N. and Sathe Y. S., (1990) Redundancy in Barlow-Wu Structures. Journal of the Operational Research Society, vol. 41, No 9, pp. 843-851.

[13.8]. Montero, J., Tejada, J. and Yanez, J. (1990) Structural properties of continuum systems. European Journal of Operational Research, 45, pp. 231-240.

[13.9]. Montero, J., Tejada, J. and Yanez, J. (1993) Multivalued Continuum Systems. European Journal of Operational Research, 69, pp. 55-64.

[13.10]. Montero, J. (1993) Observable Structure Functions. Kybernetes, vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 31-39.

[13.11]. Montero, J., Tejada, J. and Yanez, J. (1994) General Structure Functions. Kybernetes, vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 10-19.

[13.12]. Cutello, V., Montero, J., Yanez, J., (1996) Structure functions with fuzzy states. Fuzzy Sets Systems, 83, pp. 189-202.

[13.13]. Griffith, W. (1997) A note on the characterization of the Barlow and Wu continuum structure functions. Operation Research Letters, 21, pp. 65-67.

[13.14]. Brunelle, R. and Kapur, K.C. (1998) Continuous-state system reliability: an interpolation approach. IEEE Transaction on Reliability, 47, 181-187.

[13.15]. Chrlesworth. W. W. and Rao, S. S. (1992) Reliability Analysis of Continuous Mechanical Systems Using Multistate Fault Trees. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 37, pp. 195-206.

[13.16]. Yang, K. and Xue, J. (1996) Continuous state reliability analysis, in Proceedings of the Annual Reliability and Maintanability Symposium, IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, pp. 251-257.

[13.17]. Brunelle, R. and Kapur, K. C. (1999) Review and classification of reliability measures for multi-state and continuum models. IEE Transactions 31, 1171-1180.

[13.18]. Lisnianski, A., Jeager, A. (2000) Time-redundant System Reliability Under Randomly Constrainrd Time Resources. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 70, No. 2, pp. 157-166.

[13.19]. Lisnianski, A., (2001) Estimation of Boundary Points for Continuum-state System Reliability Measures. Reliability Engineering & System Safety, vol. 74, No. 1, pp. 81-88.

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