This thesis is concerned with k-out-of n:G system that sustains a time-independent load and consists of independent and identically distributed components with exponential lifetimes.
It is assumed that the total load is equally shared by the functioning components and that the failure of a component induces higher failure rates in the surviving components according to the relationship between load and failure rate. Three load-failure models-- Power rule, Arrhenius and Eyring models -- are considered to represent the failure rate of operating components as a function of the number of failed components.
For each model, reliability and availability functions are obtained and their behaviors are examined. Optimal numbers of redundant components minimizing mean cost rate are obtained for the cases with and without common mode failure and the sensitivity analyses are also performed.
