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Exponential Distribution
Most widely used probability distribution in reliability assessment.

Requirements:
-Events must be random Only applies to the useful life
-Hazard rate must be constant period of a system component
-λt
−λt dQ(t) d(1 - e ) −λt
R(t) = e Q(t) = 1 - e −λt f(t) =
dt
= dt
= λe

Mean or Expected value of f(x)

∞
E(x) =∫ x.f(x)dx Q(t)
−∞
f(t)

∞
R(t)
Mean Time to Failure, MTTF = ∫ t.f(t)dt = 1/λ 0.37

0
dQ(t) dR(t)
But, f(t) = =
dt dt 0 t 1/
time
∞ ∞
MTTF = - ∫t.dR(t) = ∫ R s ( t )dt 11
0 0
 Example: Exponential Distribution
Find the mean time to failure of a component which has a failure rate of
2 failures per year. Calculate its reliability for different mission times,
e.g. 10, 1000, 10000 hours.

MTTF = 1/λ = ½ = 0.5 yrs = 0.5 x 8760 = 4380 hrs

−λt
R(t) = e R(10)=0.997719, R(1000)=0.795877, R(10000)=0.101967

1.0

0.8

0.6
Rt)

0.4
0.2f/yr
0.2 1f/yr
2f/yr
0.0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
time in 1000 hrs

Failure Probability in a Time Interval

A priori probability of failure in time interval t, Q(t) = 1 - e −λt
A Priori Probability:
probability calculated by logically examining existing information

A Posteriori Probability:
conditional probability that is assigned after relevant information
is taken into account.

The probability of failure in the next interval t actually depends conditionally

upon its behavior preceding that interval.
e.g. it cannot fail in that interval if it already failed prior to that interval

It is, therefore, required to determine (a posteriori) probability of a

component failing in an interval t given that it has survived prior to that
interval.

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 A Posteriori Probability
Probability of component failing during t given that
it has survived up to T, Qc(t)
T+t

P(A|B) =
P(A ∩ B)
=
∫ f(t)dt
T
∞
P(B)
∫ f(t)dt
T
−λt
But, f(t) = λ e
t
Event
A: failure during t (shaded area)
B: surviving up to T (colored area)
T+t

Q (t) =
∫ T
λe- λt dt
=
e - λT − e - λ(T+ t)
= 1 - e −λt = a priori probability Q(t)
c ∞ - λT
e
∫ T
λe - λt dt

Reliability evaluation in the useful life of a component is, therefore, relatively

simple as exponential distribution is applicable.
In the wear-out phase, conditional probability must be used. 14

Exponential Distribution Applications

Series Systems Parallel Systems 1

1 2 2

product rule of reliability product rule of unreliability, Qs = Q1 . Q2

n
Qs(t) = ∏ [1 - e
− λit
R s = R 1R 2 ]
i =1
= e − λ 1t ⋅ e − λ 2 t
R s = R1 + R 2 − R1R 2
= e - (λ 1 + λ 2 )t
R S = e − λ 1t + e − λ 2t − e -(λ 1 + λ 2 )t
=e∑ i
- λ t
cannot obtain equivalent hazard rate
n n
− ∑ λ it for exponential distribution
Rs(t) = ∏ e
− λit − λet
= e i =1
= e resulting distribution for the
i =1
system is non-exponential
i.e. resulting distribution for the i.e. resulting hazard rate for the system
system is also exponential is no longer constant, but a function of time
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 Partially Redundant (m out of n) Systems

Apply Binomial Expansion

n
[R(t) + Q(t)] n = ∑ nCr R(t) n-r Q(t) r
r=0

During useful life period when component failures are

exponentially distributed
− λt
R(t) = e and Q(t) = 1 - e − λt

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Example:
A simple electronic circuit consists of 6 transitors each having a failure rate of
10-6 f/hr, 4 diodes each having a failure rate of 0.5 x 10-6 f/hr, 3 capacitors each
having a failure rate of 0.2 x 10-6 f/hr, 10 resistors each having a failure rate of
5 x 10-6 f/hr and 2 switches each having a failure rate of 2 x 10-6 f/hr. Assuming
connectors and wiring are 100% reliable, evaluate the equivalent failure rate
of the system and the probability of the system surviving 1000 and 10000 hours
if all components must operate for system success.
n
Equivalent failure rate of the system, λe = ∑ λi
i =1

= 6(10-6 ) + 4(0.5 x 10-6 ) + 3(0.2 x 10-6 ) + 10(5 x 10-6 ) + 2(2 x 10-6 ) = 6.26 x 10-5 f/hr

−6
−λ t − 6.26 x 10 x1000
Rs(1000 hr) = e e = e = 0.9393
−6
−λ t − 6.26 x 10 x10000
Rs(10,000 hr) = e e = e = 0.5347

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 Example:
Consider a system comprising of 4 identical units each having a failure rate of
0.1 f/yr. Evaluate the probability of the system surviving 0.5 years and 5 years
if at least two units must operate successfully.

Using Binomial Expansion,

[R(t) + Q(t)] 4 = R4(t) + 4 R3(t)Q(t) + 6 R2(t)Q2(t) + 4 R(t)Q3(t) + Q4(t)
− λt − λt
where, R(t) = e and Q(t) = 1 - e

For 2 out of 4 system,

Rs(t) = R4(t) + 4 R3(t)Q(t) + 6 R2(t)Q2(t)
− 4 λt − 3 λt − λt − 2 λt − λt 2
=e +4e (1 - e ) + 6 e (1 - e )

For t = 0.5 years, λt = 0.1 x 0.5 = 0.05 Rs(0.5) = 0.9996

For t = 5 years, λt = 0.1 x 5 = 0.5 Rs(5) = 0.8282

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