A conceptual and holistic approach for multiscale-multiview complex system reliability modelling
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The work reported in this article addresses the issue of reliability assessment from a systemic perspective. The general idea of the paper is based on the observation that failures occur at the level of elementary components but are induced by stresses emanating from the form of use of the system and the environment in which they are placed. Within this scope, a so-called U-Cycle approach is developed. It allows, in a matrix framework, to match the levels of decomposition of a system from a functional viewpoint and the resulting failures from a dysfunctional perspective. The modelling of this U-Cycle thus involves taking into account the repercussions of the systems' mission profiles in order to convert them into levels of stress on the basic components in a functional top-down analysis. Then, in a dysfunctional bottom-up study, it leads to characterise the impact of the failure of these components on the operation of the sub-systems to which they belong. The paper describes the principles of methodological instrumentation of this U-cycle based on the superposition of four descriptive views representing the structural, temporal, physical and logical forms of organisation. A case study based on the qualitative modelling of the reliability of an aircraft electrical flight control function is proposed to illustrate the developments.
Language: English
Subfield: Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,150
OpenAlex ID: W7128742744