Using Statistical Model Checking to Assess Reliability for Bathtub-Shaped Failure Rates

Ideally, the reliability can be assessed analytically, provided that an analytical solution exists and its presumptions are met. Otherwise, alternative approaches to the assessment must apply. This paper proposes a novel, simulation based approach that relies on stochastic timed automata. Based on the automata, our paper explains principles of creating reliability models for various scenarios. Our approach expects that a reliability model is then processed by a statistical model checking method, used to assess the reliability by statistical processing of simulation results over the model. Main goal of this paper is to show that instruments of stochastic timed automata and statistical model checking are capable of facilitating the assessment process even for adverse conditions such as bathtub shaped failure rates.