A review of FaultrEASE version 1.0.

Area of Science:

• Systems analysis
• Reliability engineering
• Probability theory

Background:

• Fault-tree analysis is crucial for system safety and reliability.
• Many systems analysts expect fault-tree development programs to perform Boolean reduction.
• The reviewed program quantifies gates using probability calculus, not Boolean reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a fault-tree development program's capabilities and limitations.
• To determine the program's suitability for various complexity levels of fault-tree analysis.
• To compare the program's features and cost against industry standards.

Main Methods:

• Review of a fault-tree development program (FaultrEASE).
• Analysis of the program's logical-mathematical operations, specifically the absence of Boolean reduction.
• Assessment of the program's graphical capabilities and "what-if" analysis features.

Main Results:

• The program does not perform Boolean reduction, restricting its application to graphical fault-tree development and "what-if" scenarios.
• The program offers ease of use for creating fault-tree diagrams and performing basic "what-if" analyses.
• For moderate to high complexity fault-tree analyses, a Boolean processor is necessary, which this program lacks.

Conclusions:

• The program is suitable for basic graphical fault-tree applications but inadequate for complex analyses requiring Boolean reduction.
• Users needing comprehensive fault-tree analysis should seek programs with Boolean processing capabilities.
• Despite its limitations, the program's cost-effectiveness may appeal for specific, less complex applications.