Abstract:

In this paper, we deal with a multi-level redundancy allocation problem for a multi-level system and system, modules and component levels in the system are simultaneously considered as candidates for redundancy. System availability and life cycle cost are used as the constraint and objective function, respectively, and are estimated by simulation. The level and degree of redundancy are determined that minimize the life cycle cost and satisfy the target system availability. An estimation of distribution algorithm is used to determine best solutions, and numerical examples are studied in order to compare module redundancy with component redundancy.