State of Knowledge Correlation in Failure Analysis of Mechatronics Systems

Abstract

Mechatronics systems of nuclear power plants (NPP) are safety-critical systems and, hence, accurate estimates of failures of such systems are essentially required. Failures of such systems depends on the correct functionality of their basic components. Component failure modes are identified by developing the models that can lead to failure of systems. Such failure modes are represented as 'basic event' in the system models. For accuracy in measurement of failures, it is important to consider the epistemic correlation, in which, the state of the knowledge about failure parameters of the identical components is the same. The epistemic correlation is also termed as state of knowledge correlation. In this article, we provide methods to accommodate the epistemic correlation in the failure estimates for improved accuracy. The experimental results are shown on a case study of NPP mechatronics system. © 1963-2012 IEEE.