Improving Reliability and Reducing Risk by Separation

This chapter introduces the method of separation as a strategic approach for improving system reliability and reducing technical risk. It explores the various mechanisms through which separation contributes to these objectives. The core idea of the method of separation is to eliminate failure modes by separating risk-critical factors, functions, properties, and geometry. A comprehensive classification of reliability improvement and risk reduction techniques, grounded in the method of separation, is proposed. The chapter demonstrates that separating properties and functions, isolating risk-critical factors, and applying separation based on parameters, conditions, or scale are effective techniques for enhancing reliability. Furthermore, it is shown that logical separation can serve as a cost-effective method for mitigating risk. Finally, the concept of distributing reliability across components and assemblies according to their cost of failure is presented.