Title: Reliability data for modelling complex systems: some comments on data-handling in integrated regional risk assessment and safety management

Authors: R. Mock

Addresses: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland

Abstract: Reliability data assessment may be a part of integrated regional risk assessment and safety management (IRRASM). This article considers the description and modelling of technical events within reliability analysis. Normally, problems arise in a practical approach, for example in the description of components and their failures, to warrant homogeneity of samples and to choose an adequate source of data. Beside statistical modelling, an analysis has to avoid the pitfall rushing to conclusions: similar-looking failure data are seductive, but their usage of different data sources needs much additional information about methods, models and descriptions of components. Some of these difficulties are pointed out by examples.

Keywords: regional risk assessment; safety management; data handling; plant specific data; process industry; reliability analysis; statistical modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.1996.028286

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 1996 Vol.6 No.4/5/6, pp.546 - 556

Published online: 16 Sep 2009 *

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