Ernst G. Frankel This book has its origin in lecture notes developed
over several years for use in a course in Systems Reliability f r
engineers concerned with the design of physical systems such as civil
structures, power plants, and transport systems of all types. Increasing
public concern with the reliability of systems for reasons of human
safety, environmental protection, and acceptable investment risk
limitations has resulted in an increasing interest by engineers in the
formal application of reliability theory to engineering design. At the
same time there is a demand for more effective approaches to the design
of procedures for the operation and use of man- made systems, more
meaningful assessment of the risks introduced, and use such a system
poses both when operating as designed and when operating at below design
performance. The purpose of the book is to provide a sound, yet
practical, introduction to reliability analysis and risk assessment
which can be used by professionals in engineering, planning, management,
and economics to improve the design, operation, and risk assessment of
systems of interest. The text should be useful for students in many
disciplines and is designed for fourth-year undergraduates or first-year
graduate students. I would like to acknowledge the help of many of my
graduate students who contributed to the development of this book by
offering comments and criticism. Similarly, I would like to thank Mrs.
Sheila McNary who typed untold drafts of the manuscript, and Mr.
