Case study for usage modeling in the automotive industry

Stress, strength and their interference are essential components of reliability. To estimate product reliability, reliability engineers require an understanding of product stress. Such estimates are more meaningful if stress relates directly to product use. Because often usage data is stable and varies little over time, obtaining representative mathematical models for stress and usage is feasible. Applying discrete event simulation along with usage and stress distributions can then simplify traditional modeling approaches (which required second-by-second data sets for every use element), thus reducing cost and time to acquire information. Developing modules that replicate conditions based on factors such as geographic location, time, etc. gives companies more flexibility in usage models to better support new global markets and product applications. ReliaSoft shares an example developed for a customer of an application of usage modeling, using ReliaSoft¿s RENO simulation software, to drive requirements, product development and reliability estimates for the global automotive market.