The Synthesis of Fault Trees
Steven A. Lapp, Gary J. Powers · SAE technical papers on CD-ROM/SAE technical paper series · 1978
Fault tree synthesis models, in order to be useful in assessment and control of risk, must be modular in the modeling of behavior; all possible modes of behavior must be describable; loops should be modeled naturally; range of variables must be greater than 0.1; and the fault tree or Boolean equation must be deduced from the models. Multiply-edged directed graphs models meet the needs of a fault tree synthesis. The Lapp-Powers fault tree synthesis algorithm is based on logical combinations of digraph variables which could cause a particular deviation in an output variable. Given the correct models, the algorithm will generate the correct fault tree for the system. A flow control system and a heat exchanger system are analyzed, as examples of using the models and the algorithm.