This paper considers a two-echelon repair model where several series systems comprising multiple items are operated in each base. We propose a basic model and two modified models. For two models, approximation methods are developed to derive the system availability. The difference between the basic model and the first modified model is whether the normal items in failed series systems are available as spare or not. The second modified model relaxes the assumptions of the first modified model to reflect more realistic situation. We perform numerical analysis for the models to compare their system availabilities and verify the accuracy of the approximation methods.

In this paper, we study on an availability analysis for a multibase system with lateral resupply of spare items between bases. We construct a basic model that a spare item of a base is transported for operation to another base without spare upon occurrence of failure, and simultaneously, the base that supplies the spare item receives the failed item of the other base for repair. We propose an approximation method to obtain the availability of the system and show the accuracy of the solution through numerical experiments. Also, two modified models are constructed to show the efficiency of the basic model. The two models modify the assumption on the lateral resupply of spare items between bases in the basic model. We numerically illustrate that the basic model can increase the availability of the system compared with the two modified models through Monte Carlo simulation.

This paper examines a system which is inspected at equally spaced points in time. We express the observed states of the system as a discrete time Markov chain with an absorbing state. It is assumed that the true state is certainly identified through inspection. After each inspection, one of three actions can be taken: Operation, repair, or replacement. We assume that the result of repair is uncertain. If repair is taken, we decide whether to inspect the system or not. When inspection is performed after completion of repair, we select an optimal action. After replacement, the system becomes new. We study the optimal maintenance policy which minimizes the expected total discounted cost for unbounded horizon. It is shown that, under reasonable conditions on the system's deterioration and repair laws and the cost structures, a control limit policy is optimal. We derive several valid properties for finding the optimal maintenance policy numerically. Furthermore, numerical analysis is conducted to show our theoretical results could hold under weaker conditions.