Maintenance optimization of highly reliable systems — Linear model

This paper describes a new iterative numerical algorithm for optimal reliability design based on maintenance. The algorithm quantifies the time-dependent unavailability characteristics in full machine accuracy. It stems from the previous author´s research work which brings a new direct analytical method that enables exact reliability quantifications of highly reliable systems with maintenance (both preventive and corrective). The method takes into account systems with highly reliable and maintained components, including repairable components undergoing to hidden failures. It will be used to solve a cost-optimization problem based on maintenance. The new algorithm results from linear approximation of total system cost that is supposed to be a linear function of frequency of maintenance (both preventive and corrective). The optimization method is demonstrated on practical system - selected part of a real power distribution network.