Solving reliability redundancy allocation problem using grey wolf optimization algorithm

Abstract

This work presents a metaheuristic approach of solving Reliability-Redundancy-Allocation- Problem (RRAP) of a system using Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) algorithm. The RRAP is restructured here for different configurations of a system such as series, series-parallel, bridge, and a practical system of over-speed protection. The solution of RRAP provides the decision in selecting the optimal number of redundant components with the corresponding reliability level of each subsystem to maximize the overall reliability of a system subjected to non-linear resource constraints. The proposed approach using the GWO algorithm provides better results with higher exploration and exploitation capability of search space than the existing solutions in the literature. Further, with the computation of Maximum Possible Improvement (MPI) using other optimization methods, it is evident that GWO solves the RRAPs efficiently and delivers maximum reliability of the system with an optimal selection of components.