Review and classification of reliability measures for multistate and continuum models

In this paper we examine a variety of customer-centered reliability measures, generalized to multistate and continuum contexts. A classification scheme is proposed for these measures, and a new measure based on customer-usage patterns is defined. In each case, reliability measures are defined such that they are equally valid for binary, multistate, continuum, and mixed systems. Techniques which facilitate the use of continuum models are discussed, and time-dynamic, infinite-time, and partial-information modeling considerations are also addressed.