Reduced Fault Tree Models and Solutions
B J Dugan, Malathi Veeraraghavan, Mark Boyd, Nitin Mittal · 1988
We study several methods for reducing complex fault tree models of fault tolerant systems, and for each method we provide bounds on the estimate of unreliability. We first discuss methods for truncating the solution of a model expressed as a fault tree, and then develop techniques that apply to the construction of the fault tree model. The emphasis is on producing approximate (but bounded) results applicable to realistic systems. We also discuss methods for incorporating dynamic system behavior (error handling and redundancy management) into fault tree models, and the corresponding truncated solution. Realistic examples are given to illustrate the approach.