An Improved Algorithm for Reliability Optimization

This paper proposes a modification of the Aggarwal et al. algorithm for reliability optimization by introducing a new heuristic criterion for selecting the subsystem where redundancy is to be added. This criterion accounts for the relative decrement in unreliability versus the largest of the relative increments in resources. The method applies to multiple separable constraint problems (which need not be linear) and to systems which may be complex or series. The method is simple, fast, and easily programmed. The results are compared with those of the Aggarwal et al. algorithm and are better in many problems.