A model of storage reliability with possible initial failures

Abstract

Recently, storage reliability has attracted attention because of the increasing demand for high reliability of products in storage in both military and commercial industries. In this paper we study a general storage reliability model for the analysis of storage failure data. It is indicated that the initial failures, which are usually neglected, should be incorporated in the estimation of storage failure probability. Data from the reliability testing before and during the storage should be combined to give more accurate estimates of both initial failure probability and the probability of storage failures. The results are also useful for decision-making concerning the amount of testing to be carried out before storage. A numerical example is also given to illustrate the idea. © 1994.