Automatic fault tree generation from SysML system models

In this paper, a methodology is proposed to integrate safety analysis within a systems engineering approach. This methodology is based on SysML models and aims at generating (semi-) automatically safety analysis artifacts, mainly FMEA and FTA, from system models. Preliminary functional and component FMEA are automatically generated from the functional and structural models respectively, then completed by safety experts. By representing SysML structural diagram as a directed multi-graph, through a graph traversal algorithm and some identified patterns, generic fault trees are automatically derived with corresponding logic gates and events. The proposed methodology provides the safety expert with assistance during safety analysis. It helps reducing time and error proneness of the safety analysis process. It also helps ensuring consistency since the safety analysis artifacts are automatically generated from the latest system model version. The methodology is applied to a real case study, the electromechanical actuator EMA.