Vikapuuanalyysiä

Vikapuuanalyysiä, known in English as fault tree analysis (FTA), is a top-down, deductive failure analysis in which an undesirable success state or a system (output event) is analyzed using Boolean logic to combine a series of lower-level events (Basic events). It is a system engineering analysis technique used to determine the probability of failure of a system. The fault tree is a graphical representation of the various combinations of hardware, software, and human failures that can lead to a system failure.

The process begins with defining the top event, which is the undesired system state. Then, lower-level events that can contribute to the top event are identified. These events are linked together using Boolean logic gates (AND, OR, etc.) to represent how they combine to cause the top event. Basic events, which are failures that cannot be further decomposed, are at the bottom of the tree.

Once the fault tree is constructed, it can be used to calculate the probability of the top event occurring. This is typically done by assigning probabilities to the basic events and then using the logic gates to propagate these probabilities up the tree. The result is a quantitative measure of the system's reliability or safety.

Vikapuuanalyysiä is widely used in various industries, including aerospace, nuclear power, and chemical processing, to identify potential failure modes, assess risks, and develop mitigation strategies. It helps in understanding complex system interactions and prioritizing areas for improvement. It is a valuable tool for proactive risk management and ensuring system safety and reliability.