Vulnerability of systems

A system is vulnerable if any damage from any source produces consequences that are disproportionately large in comparison with that damage. Conversel y a system is not robust if it cannot withstand arbitrary damage. Reliabili ty theory is not sufficient for robust safety. In this paper, we propose a contribution to a general theory of vulnerability that is a theory of form and connectivity. The purpose is to identify weak links. This preliminary t heory can be applied to a wide range of systems including structures, water pipe works, traffic Bows and organisations and is potentially of use for s afety management and to reduce the risk of overlooking vulnerable failure s cenarios.