Using Simulation RBDs

A reliability block diagram (RBD) is a graphical representation of how the components of a system are reliability-wise connected. BlockSim's RBDs can be configured as analytical diagrams (which use the exact algebraic equation for the system model but impose limitations on what can be modeled and what results can be obtained) or simulation diagrams (which provide more modeling options and results but must be analyzed with discrete event simulation).

The basic steps for using a simulation RBD are:

  1. ClosedAdd diagram

    2. Right-click the RBDs folder in the current project explorer and choose Add Simulation RBD.

  2. ClosedAdd blocks

    3. Right-click inside the diagram and choose the type of block to add. (See RBD Block Types.)

  3. ClosedConnect blocks

    4. Hold down the ALT key, click the source block and drag a line to the destination block.

  4. ClosedSet block properties

    5. To edit a block's properties, right-click it and choose Block Properties. Use a universal reliability definition (URD) to specify the reliability properties. (See Creating and Selecting Resources.)

    • To select an existing URD, click inside the URD field.
    • To create a new URD, click inside the Model - Reliability field and follow the wizard. You can create a new model (left) or select an existing model (right). Existing models may have been manually created, or may have been published from other analyses in BlockSim, Weibull++ or Lambda Predict.

  5. ClosedSimulate the diagram

    6. Click the Simulate icon on the control panel.

    Specify the simulation settings and click Simulate. (See Maintainability/Availability Simulation Window.)

  6. ClosedView the simulation results

    7. From within the Maintainability/Availability Simulation window, click Details. If you have closed the window, click the Results valid as of field on the control panel. (See Results Explorer for available results.)

  7. ClosedCalculate metrics

    8. Click the QCP icon on the control panel to open the Quick Calculation Pad. (See Simulation QCP for available calculations.)

  8. ClosedView plots

    9. Click the Plot icon on the control panel to open the plot sheet. (See Simulation Plots for available plot types.)

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