| Abstract: | This paper is concerned with the joint prior distribution of the dependent reliabilities of the components of a binary system. When this distribution is MTP2 (Multivariate Totally Positive of Order 2), it is shown in general that this actually makes the machinery of Natvig and Eide 7] available to arrive at the posterior distribution of the system's reliability, based on data both at the component and system level. As an illustration in a common environmental stress case, the joint prior distribution of the reliabilities is shown to have the MTP2 property. We also show, similarly to Gåsemyr and Natvig 3], for the case of independent components given component reliabilities how this joint prior distribution may be based on the combination of expert opinions. A specific system is finally treated numerically. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 44: 741–755, 1997 |
