Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani Work-Integrated Learning

Programmes Division First Semester 2020- Comprehensive Examination (EC-3

Regular) Course No. : QM ZG Course Title : RELIABILITY ENGINEERING Nature of
Exam : Open Book Weightage : 50% Duration : 2 Hours Date of Exam : Sunday,
29/11/2020 (AN) Note:

1. Please follow all the Instructions to Candidates given on the cover page of the

answer book.
2. Assumptions made if any, should be stated clearly at the beginning of your
answer.

Q1. A tool designer, must design a single point cutting tool for the shaper machine that
has a 95 % chance of operating for 4 years. 
(a) If the tool failure times are lognormal, what should be the MTTF? Assume that the
shape parameter is 0. 
(b) If the tool fails, it must be repaired within 8 hrs. If repair time is lognormal with a
mean of 3 hrs and a shape parameter of 2, What is the probability that the tool will be
available for its use on time? [4 + 4 = 8]

Q2. A fixed load of 500 lb is applied to a support beam having the following strength.
Determine the static reliability [4 + 4 = 8] 
(a) Exponential with a mean of 5200 lb. 
(b) Weibull with a scale parameter of 5200 lb and a shape parameter of 0.

Q3. Two nickel- cadmium batteries provide electrical power to operate an inverter. If

both batteries are operating in parallel, they have an individual failure rate of 0 per year.
If one fails, the other can operate the inverter. However, power output will be reduced
and the increased electrical demand will triple the failure rate of the remaining battery.
Determine the system reliability at 3,4 and 5 yr. What is the system MTTF? [6 + 2 = 8]
Q4. Complete an AC life table based on the annual number of failures (replacement)
due to the compressor failure and the number of AC removals (censors) for reasons
other than compressor failure given in the following table. Five hundred AC
(compressors) were at risk initially.
Q5. A product consists of seven components, each having a MTTF = 80 hr and MTTR =
60 hr, and failure rate and repair rate both follows the exponential distribution then
determine the point, interval and steady-state availability for a 25-hr mission for both
series and parallel configurations. [4 x 2 = 8]

Q6. Determine the static reliability of a system having the following load and capacity
distributions.
( fx ( x )= 1/3, 18 ≤ x ≤ 21 ; fy ( y )=0. 056( y − 18 ) , 18 ≤ y ≤ 24 )