A generalized block replacement policy with minimal repair and general random repair costs for a multi-unit system. (English) Zbl 0737.90031

Sheu, Shey-Huei

J. Oper. Res. Soc. 42, No. 4, 331-341 (1991).

Author’s summary: “A generalization of the block replacement policy (BRP) is proposed and analysed for a multi-unit system which has a specific multivariate distribution. Under such a policy an operating system is preventively replaced at times \(kT\) \((k=1,2,3,\dots)\), as in the ordinary BRP, and the replacement of the failed system at failure is not mandatory; instead, a minimal repair to the component of the system can be made. The choice of these two possible actions is based on some random mechanism which is age-dependent. The cost of the ith minimal repair of the component at age \(y\) depends on the random part \(C(y)\) and the deterministic part \(c_ i(y)\). The aim of the paper is to find the optimal block interval \(T\) which minimizes the long-run expected cost per unit time of the policy.”.

Reviewer: P.Reichensperger (Oberasbach)

MSC:

90B25

Reliability, availability, maintenance, inspection in operations research

Keywords:

preventive replacement; block replacement policy; multi-unit system; minimal repair; optimal block interval; long-run expected cost