Abstract
Existing optimal resource allocation for system safety mainly concentrates on series/parallel systems or systems that can be converted into series/parallel models. However, for some distributed complex electromechanical systems, it is very difficult or even impossible to refine them into a series/parallel model; in addition, the safety of some system units is immeasurable because of the coupling relationship complexity in the system composition structure. In this paper, a novel method based on complex networks and path set-based dynamic programming is proposed for the optimal resource allocation for maximal safety of distributed complex electromechanical systems with non-series-parallel structures. As a measurement of the system safety, safety importance is defined, which is a function of two safety feature parameters - accident loss and accident probability. A practical system is taken as an example to illustrate and verify the feasibility and applicability of the proposed method.