The GoldSim Reliability Module is a program extension to GoldSim which allows you to probabilistically simulate the reliability and performance of complex engineered systems over time. The fundamental outputs produced by the Reliability Module consist of predicted reliability metrics (e.g., reliability and availability) for the overall system, and for individual components within that system. The Reliability Module can also be used to compute the probability of specific consequences (e.g., catastrophic failure of the system) to support risk analysis. GoldSim catalogs and analyzes failure scenarios, which allows for key sources of unreliability and risk to be identified.
Reliability engineering involves measuring and analyzing the ways that systems can fail (and be repaired) in order to increase their design life, and eliminate or reduce the likelihood of failures, downtime and safety risks. It involves developing a mathematical representation (a model) of an existing or proposed engineered system in order to predict the performance of the system over time. The system (e.g., a furnace) consists of multiple components (e.g., a blower, a burner). The output of these models typically consists of predictions of measures such as reliability (the probability that a component or system will perform its required function over a specified time period) and availability (the probability that a component or system is performing its required function at any given time). Reliability models are frequently used to compare design alternatives on the basis of metrics such as warranty and maintenance costs
For some systems, the analyst may be more concerned with risk analysis than with reliability. Risk analysis focuses on predicting the probability of those (presumably rare) failures that can lead to injury, loss of life, severe damage to the system, or perhaps damage to the surrounding environment. Hence, in a risk analysis, the output of the model typically is the probability of a particular unlikely, but high consequence outcome (e.g., catastrophic failure of the system), and identification of those events or components most likely to lead to that outcome. Risk analysis models are typically used to inform decisions about required levels of redundancy, and to evaluate system safety and risk.
Learn more:
Introduction to the Reliability Module
Getting Started with the Reliability Module
Details of the Function and Action Elements
Running a Reliability Simulation
Advanced Reliability Modeling Concepts