Fuzzy reliability modeling in the system failure rates merit context

This paper discusses an engineering reliability model in fuzzy environment. As many reliability parameters are ill-defined or subjectively described using linguistic terms, the conventional measurement approaches cannot effectively handle the vagueness and ambiguity which exist within reliability parameters. However, fuzzy logic allows the extraction of precise conclusions based on vague human perceptions involved in reliability. In this research the authors have applied the fuzzy reliability evaluation approach to merit the input failure rates of the system. Fuzzy reliability index is evaluated with the help of the linguistic variables assessed by experts in the form of performance rating and importance weights of different parameters and multi-criteria decision making technique to measure the reliability of a system. The novelty in the paper is the assessment of the reliability index using fuzzy logic identifying the principal obstacles to improve the reliability level. © 2013 The Society for Reliability Engineering, Quality and Operations Management (SREQOM), India and The Division of Operation and Maintenance, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden.