Algorithms for Reducing Cut Sets in Fault Tree Analysis

Abstract: Fault Tree Analysis is a graphical and analytical model for identifying and accessing the relevant causes of a system risk or fault or undesired event. it is used in process system for identifying basic events or causes of an event, identifying common-cause(Minimal cut sets) failures, displaying causes and consequence of undesired event, evaluating design and investigating process accidents/incidents. The main aim of any fault-tree algorithm is to compute the minimal cut sets as quickly as possible. A cut set is a collection of component failure modes that could lead to a system failure. Cut Set Analysis (CSA) is applied to critical systems to identify and rank system vulnerabilities at design time. This paper presents a critical review of the various quantitative fault tree analysis techniques and also provide a formal procedure of each of the techniques.

Keywords: Fault Trees, Cut sets, Algorithm, Fault Tree Analysis, Minimal Cut set.