The scope of this research is to present multiple methods of estimating reliability when the component/system of interest is undergoing degradation. Various factors that influence failure including initial strength, stress, and degradation parameters, are modeled as random variables. The use of multiple methods provides flexibility in selecting a procedure, based on preference and available software. The multiple methods of reliability estimation include an analytical model, estimation using a structured computer program and two different types of simulation.; The research also provides a methodology whereby the exact influence that various factors have on the failure characteristic is estimated. Following careful selection of factors/influences and the effects that require investigation, an example is conducted whereby the time-to-failure distribution is found using a simulation method and the resulting distribution and its properties are analyzed. Finally the link between the factors and the corresponding effects are established using a designed experiment. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
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