System Maintenance Using Several Imperfect Repairs Before a Perfect Repair

Abstract

Allowing several imperfect repairs before a perfect repair can lead to a highly reliable and efficient system by reducing repair time and repair cost. Assuming exponential lifetime and exponential repair time, we determine the optimal probability p of choosing a perfect repair over an imperfect repair after each failure. Based on either the limiting availability or the limiting average repair cost per unit time, we determine the optimal number of imperfect repairs before conducting a perfect repair.