A Qualitative Failure Analysis Using Function-Based Performance State-Machines for Fault Identification and Propagation During Early Design Phases

Author(s):  
Charlie B. DeStefano ◽  
David C. Jensen

In a time when major technological advancements are happening at incredible rates and where demands for next-generation systems are constantly growing, advancements in failure analysis methods must constantly be developed, as well. Performance and safety are always top concerns for high-risk complex systems, and therefore, it is important for new failure analysis methods to be explored in order to obtain more useful and comprehensive failure information as early as possible, particularly during early design phases when detailed models might not yet exist. Therefore, this paper proposes a qualitative, function-based failure analysis method for early design phases that is capable of not only analyzing potential failure modes for physical components, but also for any manufacturing processes that might cause failures, as well. In this paper, the proposed method is first described in general and then applied in a case study of a proposed design for a nanochannel DNA sequencing device. Lastly, this paper discusses how more advanced and detailed analyses can be incorporated into this approach during later design phases, when more failure information becomes available.

Author(s):  
Erick Kim ◽  
Kamjou Mansour ◽  
Gil Garteiz ◽  
Javeck Verdugo ◽  
Ryan Ross ◽  
...  

Abstract This paper presents the failure analysis on a 1.5m flex harness for a space flight instrument that exhibited two failure modes: global isolation resistances between all adjacent traces measured tens of milliohm and lower resistance on the order of 1 kiloohm was observed on several pins. It shows a novel method using a temperature controlled air stream while monitoring isolation resistance to identify a general area of interest of a low isolation resistance failure. The paper explains how isolation resistance measurements were taken and details the steps taken in both destructive and non-destructive analyses. In theory, infrared hotspot could have been completed along the length of the flex harness to locate the failure site. However, with a field of view of approximately 5 x 5 cm, this technique would have been time prohibitive.


2021 ◽  
pp. 531-556
Author(s):  
A. Hudgins ◽  
C. Roepke ◽  
B. James ◽  
B. Kondori ◽  
B. Whitley

Abstract This article discusses the failure analysis of several steel transmission pipeline failures, describes the causes and characteristics of specific pipeline failure modes, and introduces pipeline failure prevention and integrity management practices and methodologies. In addition, it covers the use of transmission pipeline in North America, discusses the procedures in pipeline failure analysis investigation, and provides a brief background on the most commonly observed pipeline flaws and degradation mechanisms. A case study related to hydrogen cracking and a hard spot is also presented.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 6400
Author(s):  
Sara Antomarioni ◽  
Marjorie Maria Bellinello ◽  
Maurizio Bevilacqua ◽  
Filippo Emanuele Ciarapica ◽  
Renan Favarão da Silva ◽  
...  

Power plants are required to supply the electric demand efficiently, and appropriate failure analysis is necessary for ensuring their reliability. This paper proposes a framework to extend the failure analysis: indeed, the outcomes traditionally carried out through techniques such as the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) are elaborated through data-driven methods. In detail, the Association Rule Mining (ARM) is applied in order to define the relationships among failure modes and related characteristics that are likely to occur concurrently. The Social Network Analysis (SNA) is then used to represent and analyze these relationships. The main novelty of this work is represented by support in the maintenance management process based not only on the traditional failure analysis but also on a data-driven approach. Moreover, the visual representation of the results provides valuable support in terms of comprehension of the context to implement appropriate actions. The proposed approach is applied to the case study of a hydroelectric power plant, using real-life data.


Author(s):  
Yu Hsiang Shu ◽  
Vincent Huang ◽  
Chia Hsing Chao

Abstract Using nanoprobing techniques to accomplish transistor parametric data has been reported as a method of failure analysis in nanometer scale defect. In this paper, we focus on how to identify the influence of Contact high resistance on device soft failures using nanoprobing analysis, and showing that the equivalent mathematical models could be used to describe the corresponding electrical data in a device with Contact high resistance issue. A case study was presented to verify that Contact volcano defect caused Contact high resistance issue, and this issue can be identified via physical failure analysis (PFA) method (e.g. Transmission Electron Microscope and Focus Ion Beam techniques) and nanoprobing analysis method. Finally, we would explain the physical root cause of Contact volcano issue.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248187
Author(s):  
Jinqiu Li ◽  
Qingqin Wang ◽  
Yitong Xuan ◽  
Hao Zhou

Eco-cities have witnessed rapid growth in these years worldwide. As the Eco-cities entering operation stage gradually, more and more researchers have found that users (who are living or working in the Eco-cities) satisfaction is one of the most important factors to determine the success or failure of Eco-cities. Therefore, it is very important to investigate the user demands to attract more citizens willing to live or work in the Eco-cities, which will make the development of Eco-cities more sustainable and solid. The recent researches on user demands investigation and analysis in the Eco-cities mainly focused on understanding the user need itself, yet lack of research on the relationship between the user demand and user satisfaction. This paper initially introduced the Kano model analysis method to the research field of user demands in Eco-city, to explore the relationship between the user demand and user satisfaction. After proposing user demands library in Eco-city (including Land use, Ecological environment, Green building, Energy utilization, etc.), the user demands classification and importance analysis methods of Eco-city were proposed based on Kano model. The questionnaire survey for users of two Eco-cities in China as case study was conducted, consisted of user demand items questionnaire based on the Kano model and a questionnaire on the importance of the user demand items. By utilizing the integration of quantitative analysis methods based on the Kano model and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, the final ranking of user demands importance was obtained. Comparing with the existing literatures in terms of user demands research for Eco-city, the user demands analysis method based on Kano model of this paper, is able to reveal the influence degree of user satisfaction towards the facilities and services provided in the Eco-city. The user demands analysis method can be used for other researchers worldwide to investigate and quantitively analyze user demands according to their local development situation and preference of Eco-city. The user demands analysis results obtained through this method, can benefit different stages of Eco-city.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Okon Edet Ita ◽  
Dulu Appah

Abstract The ability to identify underperforming wells and recover the remaining oil in place is a cornerstone for effective reservoir management and field development strategies. As advancement in computing programming capabilities continuous to grow, Python has become an attractive method to build complicated statistical models that predicts, diagnose or analyze well performance, efficiently and accurately. The aim of this study is to develop a computational model that will allows us to diagnose and analyze well performance using nodal analysis with the help of python. In this study, python was used to compute Nodal analysis method using Darcy and Vogel Equations. A case study was carried out using the data obtained from a field operating in the Niger Delta. Again, sensitivity of tubing size was conducted using python. The results obtained showed that a computational model with python has the ability to visualize, model and analyze wells performances. This technique will petroleum engineers to better monitor evaluate and enhance their production operation without the need for expensive softwares. This will reduce operating cost increases revenue.


Author(s):  
Dennis B. Brickman

Abstract A failure modes and effects testing program was conducted to analyze the cause of a mid-size commercial walk-behind lawn mower accident in which the operator’s foot came in contact with the rotating blade. Systematic analysis showed that the accident was caused by improper mower service and operator misuse of the mower. Testing results reveal that an alternative design proposal does not preclude this random event. Accident prevention countermeasures are explored.


Author(s):  
Jun Li Shi ◽  
Huai Zhi Wang ◽  
Jun Yu Hu ◽  
Yun Dong Ma ◽  
Ming Yang Ma ◽  
...  

As product structure becomes more and more complex, the fault mode presents a diversified trend, and it is more difficult to determine the causes of system failure for a complex product. The main objective of this study is to provide an effective failure analysis method based on the combination of fault trees analysis (FTA) and generalized grey relation analysis (GGRA) for complex product. In this method, the product system failure is defined and the fault tree is constructed by FTA methodology firstly; and then GGRA is employed to identify the correlations between each fault mode and the system failure; finally, the main causes of system failure are identified and the corresponding measures can be made. A case study of a WD615 Steyr engine is conducted throughout the text to verify the validity of this method. The present study would help facilitate the failure and reliability analysis for complex product and benefit designers for the product improvement.


Author(s):  
Michael E. Stock ◽  
Robert B. Stone ◽  
Irem Y. Tumer

When failure analysis and prevention, guided by historical design knowledge, are coupled with product design at its conception, shorter design cycles are possible. By decreasing the design time of a product in this manner, design costs are reduced and the product will better suit the customer’s needs. Prior work indicates that similar failure modes occur within products (or components) with similar functionality. To capitalize on this finding, a knowledge base of historical failure information linked to functionality is assembled for use by designers. One possible use for this knowledge base is within the Elemental Function-Failure Design Method (EFDM). This design methodology and failure analysis tool is implemented during conceptual design and keeps the designer congnizant of failures that are likely to occur based on the product’s functionality. EFDM offers potential improvement over current failure analysis methods, such as FMEA, FMECA, and Fault Tree Analysis, because it can be implemented hand in hand with other conceptual design steps and carried throughout a product’s design cycle. These other failure analysis methods can only truly be effective after a physical design has been completed. EFDM however is only as good as the knowledge base that it draws from, and therefore it is of utmost importance to develop a knowledge base that will be suitable for use across a wide spectrum of products. One fundamental question that arises in using EFDM is: At what level of detail should functional descriptions of components be encoded? This paper explores two approaches to populating a knowledge base with actual failure occurrence information from Bell 206 helicopters. Functional models expressed at various levels of detail are investigated to determine the necessary detail for an applicable knowledge base that can be used by designers in both new designs as well as redesigns. High level and more detailed functional descriptions are derived for each failed component based on NTSB accident reports. To best record this data, standardized functional and failure mode vocabularies are used. Two separate function-failure knowledge bases are then created and compared. Results indicate that encoding failure data using more detailed functional models allows for a more robust knowledge base. Interestingly however, when applying EFDM, high level descriptions continue to produce useful results when using the knowledge base generated from the detailed functional models.


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