Estimation of boundary points for continuum-state system reliability measures

A continuum-state system is considered, in which the performance levels of the system and its components range from perfect functionality to complete failure, allowing any intermediate state in the arbitrary interval. A number of recent papers on general continuum-state system reliability are briefly reviewed. A new approach based on the universal generating function technique is suggested for estimating boundary points of several reliability measures for such systems. It is shown, how the continuum-state system can be approached by using a finite multi-state system and how the bounds for the reliability measures may be found. The suggested procedure for estimating boundary points enables the engineer to base only on a representation of an ordinary system logic diagram. Using formal procedures, one can get upper and lower bounds for the entire continuum-state system reliability measures with preliminary specified accuracy. A numerical example for the suggested approach is presented.