Performance of Two-Component Systems with Imperfect Repair

Abstract

Operational systems deteriorate over time and eventually fail by the failure of one or more of their components. Failed components are either replaced or repaired, and replacement is usually expensive. This article examines the behavior of repairable systems with imperfect repair, where a failed component is repaired once or more depending on factors such as repair cost, level of deterioration, and criticality of the component. When these systems are subjected to a customer use environment, their performance must endure different conditions. In imperfect repair, the performance of the system lessens after each failure. Three models of a two-component system studied are the series, parallel, and standby configurations, and the components are identical and independent. A closed form analytical expression for steady state operational probability is derived for different configurations under exponential distribution time to failure and repair time. Two examples are then discussed thoroughly.