Title: Fault tree analysis of hydraulic power-steering system

Authors: Catic Dobrivoje; Gasic Milomir; Savkovic Mile; Glisovic Jasna

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, Department for Mechanical Constructions and Mechanization, Sestre Janjic 6, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department for Mechanization and Carrying Structures, Dositejeva 19, 36000 Kraljevo, Serbia ' Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department for Mechanization and Carrying Structures, Dositejeva 19, 36000 Kraljevo, Serbia ' Faculty of Engineering, Department for Motor Vehicles and Motors, Sestre Janjic 6, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia

Abstract: The historical development is presented in the introductory part and it points out the importance of using the Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) method for analysis of the reliability and safety of technical systems. By analysing a number of references related to the FTA method, a FTA methodology is established, whose algorithm, with explanation of some steps, is given in this paper. As an example of the practical application of the method, the fault tree of the hydraulic power booster of the steering system of light commercial vehicles is qualitatively analysed. Based on data from the development phase and through a team approach, a fault tree for hydraulic power steering was developed. Along with an explanation of certain parts of the fault tree, the estimation of significance of certain events is done and the possibilities are considered to eliminate causes of failure or to minimise the consequences of failure.

Keywords: vehicle reliability; FTA; fault tree analysis; methodology; industrial light vehicles; HPS; hydraulic power steering systems; qualitative analysis; vehicle safety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2014.057774

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2014 Vol.64 No.1, pp.26 - 45

Received: 21 Dec 2010
Accepted: 23 Oct 2011
Published online: 30 Oct 2014 *

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