StartFraction 2 plus beta Over beta EndFraction right-parenthesis minus left-parenthesis upper Gamma left-parenthesis StartFraction 1 plus beta Over beta EndFraction right-parenthesis right-parenthesis squared right-bracket period"/>(1.32)
1.2.2.3 Gamma Distribution
A random variable T follows the gamma distribution if and only if the pdf (shown in Figure 1.5) of T is
Figure 1.5 The pdf of the gamma distribution with β=1.99,λ=1.
where β>0 is the shape parameter and η>0 is the scale parameter of the distribution. The cdf of the gamma distribution is
If T denotes the failure time of an item with gamma distribution, the reliability function will be
The hazard rate function is
The mean, μ, and variance, σ2, are
1.2.2.4 Lognormal Distribution
A random variable T follows the lognormal distribution if and only if the pdf (shown in Figure 1.6) of T is
Figure 1.6 The pdf of the lognormal distribution with μ=0, σ=0.954.
where σ>0 is the shape parameter and μ>0 is the scale parameter of the distribution. Note that the lognormal variable is developed from the normal distribution. The random variable X=lnT is a normal random variable with parameters μ and σ. The cdf of the lognormal distribution is
where Φ(x) is the cdf of a standard normal random variable. If T denotes the failure time of an item with lognormal distribution, the reliability function of T will be
The hazard rate function is
The mean, μ, and variance, σ2, are
Example 1.3
The random variable of the time to failure of an item, T, follows the following pdf:
where t is in days and t≥0.
1 What is the probability of failure of the item in the first 100 days?
2 Find the MTTF of the item.
Solution
1 The cdf of the random variable isThe probability of failure in the first 100 days is
2 The MTTF of the item is
1.2.3 Physics-of-Failure Equations
Different from the traditional reliability assessment approach, the Physics-of-Failure (P-o-F) represents an approach to reliability assessment based on modeling and simulation of the physical processes leading to the occurrence of failures in an item [2]. The P-o-F approach begins within the first stages of the design of the item. A model is constructed based on the customer’s requirements, service environment, and stress analysis [1]. Once the models are established, a reliability assessment can be conducted on the item.
1.2.3.1 Paris’ Law for Crack Propagation
Paris’ law is a crack growth equation that gives the rate of growth of a fatigue crack [3]. The stress intensity factor K characterizes the load around a crack tip and the rate of crack growth is experimentally
