A new model for the reliability-redundancy allocation problem under the K-mixed redundancy strategy

Abstract

This paper revisits the reliability-redundancy allocation problem as an important component of complex system design. In order to develop more reliable structures, the recently introduced K-mixed redundancy strategy is implemented to explore its power in solving different test problems. The strategy in question comprises as its decision variables, component reliability, redundancy level, and optimal redundancy strategy each of which must be optimally determined for each subsystem to ensure best performance of the whole system. To achieve this objective, a mathematical model is developed for formulating test problems under the K-mixed strategy and a proper genetic algorithm is employed to solve them. Results reveal that the new strategy outperforms not only the conventional active and standby strategies but even its mixed strategy counterpart as well while it also yields to more reliable structures. Moreover, the K-mixed strategy is shown as the superior one for systems with switching mechanisms of low reliability.