Mathematical models for marginal reliability analysis

The present paper deals with some mathematical techniques which are now available for the evaluation of the marginal reliability of a system. In particular the characteristics of both exact methods and approximate ones are examined including, among these last ones, also methods of more recent use and recent extensions of know ones. Moreover, some among the most efficient numerical methods are discussed. Some examples are reported during the exposition in order to better illustraté the different features and, when possible, to compare the techniques