THE BASIC CONCEPTS OF FAILURE ANALYSIS

This paper discusses basic concepts of failure analysis and gives advi ce on how to interpret, e.g., function, failure, failure mode, failure cause, and failure effect, using a gate valve as an example. A genera l approach to identification and classification of functions and failu re modes is presented and the various steps of failure analysis are di scussed. The OREDA (Offshore Reliability Data) database is used to ill ustrate the interpretation of the basic concepts. Limitations in the u se of OREDA are pointed out and proposals for enhancements of this dat abase are given. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited.