Reliability Modelling: A Statistical Approach

By Linda C. Wolstenholme

Book Overview

Reliability is an essential concept in mathematics, computing, research, and all disciplines of engineering, and reliability as a characteristic is, in fact, a probability. Therefore, in this book, the author uses the statistical approach to reliability modelling along with the MINITAB software package to provide a comprehensive treatment of modelling, from the basics through advanced modelling techniques.

The book begins by presenting a thorough grounding in the elements of modelling the lifetime of a single, non-repairable unit. Assuming no prior knowledge of the subject, the author includes a guide to all the fundamentals of probability theory, defines the various measures associated with reliability, then describes and discusses the more common lifetime models: the exponential, Weibull, normal, lognormal and gamma distributions. She concludes the groundwork by looking at ways of choosing and fitting the most appropriate model to a given data set, paying particular attention to two critical points: the effect of censored data and estimating lifetimes in the tail of the distribution.

The focus then shifts to topics somewhat more difficult: the difference in the analysis of lifetimes for repairable versus non-repairable systems and whether repair truly "renews" the system
methods for dealing with system with reliability characteristic specified for more than one component or subsystem
the effect of different types of maintenance strategies
the analysis of life test data

The final chapter provides snapshot introductions to a range of advanced models and presents two case studies that illustrate various ideas from throughout the book.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1584880147
• ISBN13: 9781584880141
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: CRC Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

The most readable book on reliability modeling

This highly-readable book should serve as an excellent introduction to reliability modeling for engineers and for students of statistics as well as for students intending to specialize in the field. The author gives a reasonable sample of the most important topics in a relatively short space. This includes some discussion of sometimes-difficult issues about choosing the "right" model. My only quarrel with the author is that she has not quite made the transition away from a reliance on published tables to a fully-computer-oriented approach. In the next edition she should present algorithms for solutions of important quantities such as confidence intervals. Nonetheless, I strongly recommend the book.