DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF GENERAL THREE-STATE k-OUT-OF-nzG SYSTEMS WITH NHCTM DEGRADATION PROCESS

Abstract

This paper deals with the dynamic reliability analysis of three-state k-out-of-nzG systems in caseof non-homogeneous continuous time Markov (NHCTM) degradation process assumption. This assumptionprovides time-dependent transition rates between states of the components which is more realistic for real lifeapplications. It is assumed that the components and the system have three stateszperfect functioning, partialperformance and complete failure. We study some performance characteristics of two type of three-statek-out-of-n systems by using the marginal and joint survival functions for the lifetime of those three-state kout-of-nzGsystems that consist of independent and nonidentical components. We consider permanent basedrepresentations for the survival probabilities. Numerical results for the performance characteristics of thetwo different types of systems are provided. The results are also supported with some graphical illustrations.