Marvin Rausand 
Reliability of Safety-Critical Systems 
Theory and Applications

Presents the theory and methodology for reliability
assessments of safety-critical functions through examples from a
wide range of applications



Reliability of Safety-Critical Systems: Theory and
Applications provides a comprehensive introduction to
reliability assessments of safety-related systems based on
electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic (E/E/PE)
technology. With a focus on the design and development phases of
safety-critical systems, the book presents theory and methods
required to document compliance with IEC 61508 and the associated
sector-specific standards.



Combining theory and practical applications, Reliability of
Safety-Critical Systems: Theory and Applications implements key
safety-related strategies and methods to meet quantitative safety
integrity requirements. In addition, the book details a variety of
reliability analysis methods that are needed during all stages of a
safety-critical system, beginning with specification and design and
advancing to operations, maintenance, and modification control. The
key categories of safety life-cycle phases are featured, including
strategies for the allocation of reliability performance
requirements; assessment methods in relation to design; and
reliability quantification in relation to operation and
maintenance. Issues and benefits that arise from complex modern
technology developments are featured, as well as:



* Real-world examples from large industry facilities with major
accident potential and products owned by the general public such as
cars and tools

* Plentiful worked examples throughout that provide readers with
a deeper understanding of the core concepts and aid in the analysis
and solution of common issues when assessing all facets of
safety-critical systems

* Approaches that work on a wide scope of applications and can be
applied to the analysis of any safety-critical system

* A brief appendix of probability theory for reference



With an emphasis on how safety-critical functions are introduced
into systems and facilities to prevent or mitigate the impact of an
accident, this book is an excellent guide for professionals,
consultants, and operators of safety-critical systems who carry out
practical, risk, and reliability assessments of safety-critical
systems. Reliability of Safety-Critical Systems: Theory and
Applications is also a useful textbook for courses in
reliability assessment of safety-critical systems and reliability
engineering at the graduate-level, as well as for consulting
companies offering short courses in reliability assessment of
safety-critical systems.

Table des matières

Preface xii

Acknowledgments xvii

1 Introduction 1

2 Concepts and Requirements 25

3 Failures and Failure Analysis 53

4 Testing and Maintenance 77

5 Reliability Quantification 91

6 Relaiability Data Sources 165

7 Demand Modes and Performance Measures 175

8 Average Probability of Failure on Demand 191

9 Average Frequency of Dangerous Failures 273

10 Common-Cause Failures 309

11 Imperfect Proof-Testing 343

12 Spurious Activation 359

13 Uncertainty Assessment 381

14 Closure 393

Appendix A Elements of Probability Theory 399

Acronyms 423

Symbols 427

Bibliography 431

Index 443

A propos de l’auteur

MARVIN RAUSAND is Professor in the Department of
Production and Quality Engineering at the Norwegian University of
Science and Technology. With more than thirty-five years of
academic experience, he has published a high number of
peer-reviewed articles in his areas of research interest, which
include system reliability theory, risk analysis, maintenance
optimization, and probabilistic modeling. Professor Rausand is the
author of Risk Assessment: Theory, Methods, and Applications
and System Reliability Theory: Models, Statistical Methods, and
Applications, Second Edition, both published by Wiley.