GoldSim is a general purpose dynamic, probabilistic (Monte Carlo) simulator. Dynamic simulation allows the analyst to develop a representation of the system whose reliability is to be determined, and then observe that system’s performance over a specified period of time.
The primary advantages of dynamic probabilistic simulation are:
•The system can evolve into any feasible state and its properties can change suddenly or gradually as the simulation progresses.
•The system can be affected by random processes, which may be either internal (e.g., failure modes) or external.
•If some system properties are uncertain, the significance of those uncertainties can be determined.
In Monte Carlo simulation, the model is run many times with uncertain variables sampling different values each time (each run is called a realization). These realizations are each considered equally likely (unless specialized sampling techniques are used), and can be combined to provide not only a mean, but also confidence bounds and a range on the performance of the system. In addition to the statistical data these realizations provide, multiple realizations may also reveal failure modes and scenarios that may not be apparent, even to experienced risk and reliability modelers.
In addition to providing a more accurate representation of uncertainty, GoldSim also allows you to create a more detailed and accurate representation of your system than can be achieved with even the most sophisticated risk and reliability methodology.
With GoldSim, you can:
Model Components that have Multiple Failure Modes: GoldSim allows you to create multiple failure modes for components, each of which can either be defined by a distribution or occur when a specified condition arises. Failures which occur according to a distribution do not have to use time as the control variable. For example, a vehicle might use mileage to define failure, while an aircraft might use the number of cycles.
Model Complex Interdependencies: In addition to providing a logic-tree mechanism to define relationships, GoldSim also allows you to model the more subtle effects of failure on other portions of the system. For example, you can easily model a situation where the failure of one component causes another component to wear more quickly.
Model the External Environment: Reliability elements in GoldSim are fully compatible with all other GoldSim elements. This means that the environment in which the system operates can also be modeled, and can affect and interact with the system.
These features and capabilities provide a powerful engine for realistically modeling the risk and reliability of complex engineered systems.