This book in~oduces the tools and concepts of engineering reliability, and is aimed primarily at engineering personnel concerned with this problem: systems engineers and design and testin~g engineers. While the author does not presuppose a knowledge of probability and statistics, some prior familiarity with the concepts of elementary statistics would be helpful to most readers. However, familiarity with calculus is assumed.
Liberal use is made of diagrams, graphs, and nomographs in representing solutions of reliability problems. The emphasis throughout is on methods of obtaining practical solutions to problems in this area rather than on the mathematical development. References listed in the text offer a more detailed development of results and examples used.
Starting with the distribution of strength, load and failure in simple obiects, the author proceeds to the consideration of deterioration in time, failure prediction with extreme loads, strength and life of similar and non-similar objects, effect of complexity on strength and life, safety factors, measurement of the environment, and concludes with methods of controlling deterioration and loads.
The book should prove an effective contribution in an area of growing interest.