Parametric Accelerated Life Testing in Mechanical/Civil System

Abstract

In this chapter, as new quantitative methodology in reliability-embedded developing process, parametric Accelerated Life Testing (ALT) will be discussed. Engineer in the design process has final goal to find the problematic part of product and achieve the reliability target. However, it has pending questions—the testing time and sample size. If fewer or limited samples are selected, the statistical assessment for product reliability becomes more uncertain. If a sufficient quantity of parts for more accurate result is tested, the cost and time will demand considerably. It therefore is reasonable to proceed the accelerated life testing. The parametric ALT is shortly carried out until a certain number of failed components have been reached under accelerated conditions. As a reliability methodology, parametric ALT has to derive the sample size equation with accelerated factors. The accelerated factors could be found in analyzing the load conditions of real dynamics system. Typical failure mechanisms in mechanical system are fatigue and fracture. To achieve the reliability target of product, parametric ALT should search out the missing design parameters to robustly withstand the loads in product lifetime.