Systems Availability Modelling, 9 credits

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
After the course the student should know and understand

• the meaning of the basic terms and vocabulary used in RAMS modelling.
• the different types of failure data and applicable analysis methods.
• the meaning of corrective, preventive, condition-based, and predictive maintenance policies.
• the applicable methods for modelling and analysing the reliability, availability, maintainability and safety of systems and processes.

Applied knowledge and skills
After the course the student should be able to

• construct and fit component reliability curves from failure data,
• perform an FMEA analysis of a system or process and determine critical failure modes,
• model different types of maintenance policy in terms of availability and cost,
• apply analytical methods, such as fault and event tree analysis, for assessing the reliability and safety of systems, och
• apply simulation modelling to analyse repairable systems.

Judgement and approach
After the course the student should be able to

• evaluate different approaches to analysing failure data,
• successfully manage an FMEA analysis study for a system or process,
• judge the advantages and disadvantages of different maintenance policies, and
• determine the appropriate method for modelling the RAMS performance of a system or process based on its characteristics and the analysis requirements.

Content

The following topics are addressed

• basic RAMS terminology and vocabulary
• non-parametric and parametric failure data analysis
• failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA)
• modelling of maintenance policies
• qualitative and quantitative methods for system reliability and availability analysis
• importance measure analysis
• simulation modelling of repairable systems
• safety instrumented systems and event tree analysis

Examinations and grades

Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety Modelling for Systems and Processes, Assignments and Seminars, 5 credits (Code: A003)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety Modelling for Systems and Processes, Assignments and Seminars, 4 credits (Code: A004)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Comments on grades

In order to receive a passing grade for the entire course, a passing grade is required for all included examinations (test codes). The weighting of the examination grades takes place by converting the letter grades A-E on the test codes to the numbers 5-1 and adding them up to a rounded average value.

Modes of assessment

Reliability, availability, maintainability and safety modeling for systems and processes, theory (test code A003): Written exam.

Reliability, availability, maintainability and security modeling for systems and processes, tasks and seminars (examination code A004): Written assignment, oral examination.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

Mathematical Statistics and Probability, 7.5 Credits. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Reading list and other learning resources

Required Reading

Scipy Lecture Notes. https://scipy-lectures.org/index.html.
SimPy Discrete Event Simulation Library. https://simpy.readthedocs.io.

Additional Reading

Andrews John J, Moss B. (2002)
Reliability and Risk Assessment. 2nd ed.
Wiley-Blackwell

Meeker William Q, Escobar Luis A. (1998)
Statistical Methods for Reliability Data.
Wiley-Blackwell

Scientific articles and other materials made available through the course's website will be added.