Multiple multi-level redundancy allocation in series systems

This paper deals with a multiple multi-level redundancy allocation problem (MMRAP) in which all available items for redundancy (system, module and component) can be simultaneously chosen. Due to a well-known principle that the redundancy at the component level (component redundancy) is more effective than the redundancy at the system level (system redundancy), the object of redundancy allocation has been limited to the component redundancy. In addition, multi-level redundancy allocation problems (MRAP) have been addressed, considering the redundancy at the subsystem level (modular redundancy). In this paper, the MMRAP is formulated and a GA algorithm is presented to solve the problem. Some numerical examples are illustrated.