Bayesian Networks For Reliability Engineering

This book presents a bibliographical review of the use of Bayesian networks in reliability over the last decade. Bayesian network (BN) is considered to be one of the most powerful models in probabilistic knowledge representation and inference, and it is increasingly used in the field of reliability. After focusing on the engineering systems, the book subsequently discusses twelve important issues in the BN-based reliability methodologies, such as BN structure modeling, BN parameter modeling, BN inference, validation, and verification. As such, it is a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in the field of reliability engineering.

The application of Bayesian Networks (BN) or Dynamic Bayesian Networks (DBN) in dependability and risk analysis is a recent development. A large number of scientific publications show the interest in the applications of BN in this field. Unfortunately, this modeling formalism is not fully accepted in the industry. The questions facing today's engineers are focused on the validity of BN models and the resulting estimates. Indeed, a BN model is not based on a specific semantic in dependability but offers a general formalism for modeling problems under uncertainty. This book explains the principles of knowledge structuration to ensure a valid BN and DBN model and illustrate the flexibility and efficiency of these representations in dependability, risk analysis and control of multi-state systems and dynamic systems. Across five chapters, the authors present several modeling methods and industrial applications are referenced for illustration in real industrial contexts.

Bayesian Reliability presents modern methods and techniques for analyzing reliability data from a Bayesian perspective. The adoption and application of Bayesian methods in virtually all branches of science and engineering have significantly increased over the past few decades. This increase is largely due to advances in simulation-based computational tools for implementing Bayesian methods. The authors extensively use such tools throughout this book, focusing on assessing the reliability of components and systems with particular attention to hierarchical models and models incorporating explanatory variables. Such models include failure time regression models, accelerated testing models, and degradation models. The authors pay special attention to Bayesian goodness-of-fit testing, model validation, reliability test design, and assurance test planning. Throughout the book, the authors use Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms for implementing Bayesian analyses -- algorithms that make the Bayesian approach to reliability computationally feasible and conceptually straightforward. This book is primarily a reference collection of modern Bayesian methods in reliability for use by reliability practitioners. There are more than 70 illustrative examples, most of which utilize real-world data. This book can also be used as a textbook for a course in reliability and contains more than 160 exercises. Noteworthy highlights of the book include Bayesian approaches for the following: Goodness-of-fit and model selection methods Hierarchical models for reliability estimation Fault tree analysis methodology that supports data acquisition at all levels in the tree Bayesian networks in reliability analysis Analysis of failure count and failure time data collected from repairable systems, and the assessment of various related performance criteria Analysis of nondestructive and destructive degradation data Optimal design of reliability experiments Hierarchical reliability assurance testing

Reliability technology plays an important role in the present era of industrial growth, optimal efficiency, and reducing hazards. This book provides insights into current advances and developments in reliability engineering, and the research presented is spread across all branches. It discusses interdisciplinary solutions to complex problems using different approaches to save money, time, and manpower. It presents methodologies of coping with uncertainty in reliability optimization through the usage of various techniques such as soft computing, fuzzy optimization, uncertainty, and maintenance scheduling. Case studies and real-world examples are presented along with applications that can be used in practice. This book will be useful to researchers, academicians, and practitioners working in the area of reliability and systems assurance engineering. Provides current advances and developments across different branches of engineering. Reviews and analyses case studies and real-world examples. Presents applications to be used in practice. Includes numerous examples to illustrate theoretical results.

This book addresses a modern topic in reliability: multi-state and continuous-state system reliability, which has been intensively developed in recent years. It offers an up-to-date overview of the latest developments in reliability theory for multi-state systems, engineering applications to a variety of technical problems, and case studies that will be of interest to reliability engineers and industrial managers. It also covers corresponding theoretical issues, as well as case studies illustrating the applications of the corresponding theoretical advances. The book is divided into two parts: Modern Mathematical Methods for Multi-state System Reliability Analysis (Part 1), and Applications and Case Studies (Part 2), which examines real-world multi-state systems. It will greatly benefit scientists and researchers working in reliability, as well as practitioners and managers with an interest in reliability and performability analysis. It can also be used as a textbook or as a supporting text for postgraduate courses in Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, and Operations Research.

Bayesian Inference for Probabilistic Risk Assessment provides a Bayesian foundation for framing probabilistic problems and performing inference on these problems. Inference in the book employs a modern computational approach known as Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). The MCMC approach may be implemented using custom-written routines or existing general purpose commercial or open-source software. This book uses an open-source program called OpenBUGS (commonly referred to as WinBUGS) to solve the inference problems that are described. A powerful feature of OpenBUGS is its automatic selection of an appropriate MCMC sampling scheme for a given problem. The authors provide analysis “building blocks” that can be modified, combined, or used as-is to solve a variety of challenging problems. The MCMC approach used is implemented via textual scripts similar to a macro-type programming language. Accompanying most scripts is a graphical Bayesian network illustrating the elements of the script and the overall inference problem being solved. Bayesian Inference for Probabilistic Risk Assessment also covers the important topics of MCMC convergence and Bayesian model checking. Bayesian Inference for Probabilistic Risk Assessment is aimed at scientists and engineers who perform or review risk analyses. It provides an analytical structure for combining data and information from various sources to generate estimates of the parameters of uncertainty distributions used in risk and reliability models.

Demonstrates how to solve reliability problems using practical applications of Bayesian models This self-contained reference provides fundamental knowledge of Bayesian reliability and utilizes numerous examples to show how Bayesian models can solve real life reliability problems. It teaches engineers and scientists exactly what Bayesian analysis is, what its benefits are, and how they can apply the methods to solve their own problems. To help readers get started quickly, the book presents many Bayesian models that use JAGS and which require fewer than 10 lines of command. It also offers a number of short R scripts consisting of simple functions to help them become familiar with R coding. Practical Applications of Bayesian Reliability starts by introducing basic concepts of reliability engineering, including random variables, discrete and continuous probability distributions, hazard function, and censored data. Basic concepts of Bayesian statistics, models, reasons, and theory are presented in the following chapter. Coverage of Bayesian computation, Metropolis-Hastings algorithm, and Gibbs Sampling comes next. The book then goes on to teach the concepts of design capability and design for reliability; introduce Bayesian models for estimating system reliability; discuss Bayesian Hierarchical Models and their applications; present linear and logistic regression models in Bayesian Perspective; and more. Provides a step-by-step approach for developing advanced reliability models to solve complex problems, and does not require in-depth understanding of statistical methodology Educates managers on the potential of Bayesian reliability models and associated impact Introduces commonly used predictive reliability models and advanced Bayesian models based on real life applications Includes practical guidelines to construct Bayesian reliability models along with computer codes for all of the case studies JAGS and R codes are provided on an accompanying website to enable practitioners to easily copy them and tailor them to their own applications Practical Applications of Bayesian Reliability is a helpful book for industry practitioners such as reliability engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, product engineers, system engineers, and materials scientists whose work includes predicting design or product performance.

This volume contains extended versions of 28 carefully selected and reviewed papers presented at The Fourth International Conference on Mathematical Methods in Reliability in Santa Fe, New Mexico, June 21-25, 2004, the leading conference in reliability research. A broad overview of current research activities in reliability theory and its applications is provided with coverage on reliability modeling, network and system reliability, Bayesian methods, survival analysis, degradation and maintenance modeling, and software reliability. The contributors are all leading experts in the field and include the plenary session speakers, Tim Bedford, Thierry Duchesne, Henry Wynn, Vicki Bier, Edsel Pena, Michael Hamada, and Todd Graves.