A Hybrid Reliability Centered Maintenance Model for Optimization of K-out-of-N Systems

The objective of this paper is to present a hybrid model for optimization of k-out-of-n systems. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive study was conducted to recognize maintenance indicators (indices) which have great influences upon system performance. These indicators are related to components' reliability, operation costs, repair and maintenance costs and total expected output. We formulate the problem of finding structure of parallel k-out-of-n system (including choice of system elements) in order to achieve a desired level of system output by the minimal cost and maximum reliability. A hybrid model consists of Genetic algorithm and Monte Carlo simulation is introduced and applied as the optimization technique. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the ideas.

Keywords:

Genetic Algorithm , k-out-of-n systems , Monte Carlo simulation , optimization , Reliability