A geometric process maintenance model and optimal policy

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study a geometric process (GP) maintenance model and policy for a repairable system.

Design/methodology/approach

Lam first introduced the GP and its application to maintenance model. Assume that a replacement policy N is applied by which the system will be replaced by a new, identical one following the Nth failure.

Findings

For a deteriorating system, an optimal replacement policy is determined analytically, and the monotonicity properties of the optimal replacement policy are then studied.

Originality/value

For an improving system, the paper shows that the optimal replacement policy is the ∞ policy, i.e., the policy without replacement.

Citation

Lam, Y. (2013), "A geometric process maintenance model and optimal policy", Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, Vol. 19 No. 1, pp. 50-60. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552511311304474