A general inspection and opportunistic replacement policy for one-component systems of variable quality

Cavalcante, CAV; Lopes, RS; Scarf, PA

Abstract

We model the influence of opportunities in a hybrid inspection and replacement policy. The base policy has two phases: an initial inspection phase in which the system is replaced if found defective; and a later wear-out phase that terminates with replacement and during which there is no inspection. The efficacy of inspection is modelled using the delay time concept. Onto this base model, we introduce events that arise at random and offer opportunities for cost-efficient replacement, and we investigate the efficacy of additional opportunistic replacements within the policy. Furthermore, replacements are considered to be heterogeneous and of variable quality. This is a natural policy for heterogeneous systems. Our analysis suggests that a policy extension that allows opportunities to be utilised offers benefit, in terms of cost-efficiency. This benefit is significant compared to those offered by age-based inspection or preventive replacement. In addition, opportunistic replacement may simplify maintenance planning.

Citation

Cavalcante, C., Lopes, R., & Scarf, P. (2018). A general inspection and opportunistic replacement policy for one-component systems of variable quality. European Journal of Operational Research, 266(3), 911-919. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2017.10.032

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 12, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Oct 18, 2017
• Publication Date: May 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Oct 12, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 23, 2017
• Journal: European Journal of Operational Research
• Print ISSN: 0377-2217
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 266
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 911-919
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2017.10.032
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2017.10.032
• Related Public URLs: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/european-journal-of-operational-research/