Delay-time modelling of a critical system subject to random inspections

Scarf, PA; Cavalcante, CAV; Lopes, RS

Abstract

We model the inspection-maintenance of a critical system in which the execution of inspections is random. The models we develop are interesting because they mimic realities in which production is prioritised over maintenance, so that inspections might be impeded or they might be opportunistic. Random maintenance has been modelled by others but there is little in the literature that relates to inspection of a critical system. We suppose that the critical system can be good, defective or failed, and
that failure impacts on production, so that a failure is immediately revealed, but a defect does not. A defect, if revealed at inspection, is a trigger for replacement. We compare the cost and reliability of random inspections with scheduled periodic inspections and discuss the implications for practice. Our results indicate that inspections that are performed opportunistically rather than scheduled periodically may offer an economic advantage provided opportunities are sufficiently frequent and convenient. A hybrid inspection and replacement policy, with inspections subject to impediments, is robust to departure from its inspection schedule.

Keywords: Maintenance; reliability; random inspection; production; quality

Citation

Scarf, P., Cavalcante, C., & Lopes, R. (2019). Delay-time modelling of a critical system subject to random inspections. European Journal of Operational Research, 278(3), 772-782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2019.04.042

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 25, 2019
• Online Publication Date: May 2, 2019
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 25, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: May 2, 2021
• Journal: European Journal of Operational Research
• Print ISSN: 0377-2217
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 278
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 772-782
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2019.04.042
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2019.04.042
• Related Public URLs: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/european-journal-of-operational-research