Optimal sequential inspections of reliability systems subject to parallel-chain precedence constraints

This paper considers optimal sequencing of inspections in a model with prec edence constraints. Suppose that a coherent reliability system has n indepe ndent components, each of which has a known prior probability of fault. The true state of each component can be determined by inspecting it for some c ost. The true state of the system can be determined by sequentially inspect ing its components, subject to precedence constraints. The problem addresse d in this paper is to find an inspection policy that minimizes the total ex pected inspection cost. Optimal inspection strategies are presented for ser ies and parallel systems and for certain k-out-of-n systems when there are parallel-chain precedence constraints among the possible component inspecti ons. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.