Degradation Models and Analyses

Abstract

Abstract For products/systems requiring high reliability or availability, reliability assessment and maintenance actions are often needed in a timely manner. For these systems/products, information on system state and performance can be collected over the system's operating time, providing what is known as degradation data. With appropriate models and data analysis techniques, degradation data are converted to system reliability information and this information is useful for short and long‐term reliability assessment and for planning maintenance actions. This article provides a review of degradation data models and methods that have been used successfully in this area. Commonly used methods for analyzing degradation data, general path models and stochastic models, are described in detail. Models and methods for analyzing data from accelerated degradation tests and accelerated destructive degradation tests are also introduced. Dynamic condition monitoring based on degradation data is covered. Examples are used to illustrate the models and methods covered in this article. The conclusion provides a discussion of test planning, software implementation and the future of degradation data analysis.