Increasing System Failure Analysis Effectiveness Through Architecture Modeling

This research demonstrated that the quality of the classic Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) method could be improved through the use of system architecture models. While existing work demonstrates use of simplified system models in FTA using methods that combine existing tools, this research uniquely addresses the value of using a single tool to generate stochastic behavior models of more complex systems, together with their normal and failure mode events, from existing system specification documents. Use of a single tool is desirable for organizations wishing to limit investment and simplify management of architecture data and analysis. The Innoslate tool is used show how classic failure analysis methods such as FTA can be emulated in the Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) design process. For a simple demonstration example, a fault tree is distilled from behavior models captured in action diagrams. A comparison of the classic FTA approach with the model based approach shows potential for increase in failure analysis accuracy and efficiency.