Computer-assisted fault-tree construction using a knowledge-based approach

This paper presents a knowledge-based approach to analyzing fault trees of engineering systems. This approach can be used to build a fault tree from a graphical functional block diagram (using reduction for replicated events), to compute minimal cut sets, and to analyze the system for redesign suggestions. An implementation of this approach in a rule-based language is presented. The results are compared with manually prepared reliability reports on an electrical power system and an hydraulic system. The knowledge-based system outperforms the manual procedure in timeliness and accuracy