%0 Journal Article
%T Cost Benefit Analysis of Series Systems with Mixed Standby Components and k-stage Erlang Repair Time
%J International Journal of Probability and Statistics
%@ 2168-4863
%D 2012
%I 
%R 10.5923/j.ijps.20120102.01
%X In this paper, we compare the availability characteristics between three different series system configurations with mixed (cold and warm) standby components and k-stage Erlang repair times. Three configurations are studied under the assumption that the time-to-failure for each of the operative and warm standby components are assumed to be exponentially distributed with parameters and, respectively. We present a recursive method, using the supplementary variable technique; we develop the explicit expressions for the steady-state availability. Under the cost/benefit criterion, comparisons are made based on assumed numerical values given to the distribution parameters, and to the cost of the operative and standby units.
%K Availability
%K Cost-Benefit
%K Erlang Distribution
%K Supplementary Variable
%K Series System
%U http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.ijps.20120102.01.html