Event oriented system analysis

This article presents an attempt towards a probabilistic event oriented system analysis in engineering. Engineering systems are represented as either complete or incomplete systems of events and as compounds of various subsystems of events. The event oriented system analysis investigates important subsystems in engineering systems, such as operational modes and failure modes and their interrelations. The analysis is also applicable to engineering systems with various relations among the sets of events, such as mutually exclusive and inclusive sets. Further, the systems and subsystems are subjected to probability and uncertainty analysis. The system uncertainty analysis is based on entropy. General relations among the probability, uncertainty of the system and uncertainties of the subsystems are derived by using information theory. Specific mathematical aspects and available methods in the uncertainty modelling of systems and subsystems are summarised. Numerical examples confirm the relevance of the event oriented system analysis and indicate potential improvements in system design. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.