The opportunistic replacement problem: analysis and case studies

• We consider an optimization model for determining optimal opportunistic maintenance (that is, component replacement) schedules when data is deterministic. This problem generalizes that of Dickman, Epstein, and Wilamowsky [21] and is a natural starting point for the modelling of replacement schedules when component lives are non-deterministic. We show that this basic opportunistic replacement problem is NP-hard. We show that the convex hull of the set of feasible replacement schedules is full-dimensional, and that all the necessary inequalities also are facet-inducing. We show that when maintenance occasions are fixed, the remaining problem can be stated as a linear program; when maintenance costs are monotone with time, the latter is solvable through a greedy procedure. Results from a series of case studies performed in the areas of aircraft engine and wind turbine maintenance are also reported. These illustrate the advantages of utilizing opportunistic maintenance activities based on a complete optimization model, as compared to simpler policies.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Matematik -- Beräkningsmatematik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Mathematics -- Computational Mathematics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

mixed binary linear programming

polyhedral analysis

complexity analysis

opportunistic maintenance

replacement problem

case studies

complexity analysis

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)