Modeling Common Cause Failure in Dynamic PRA

Abstract: In this paper we propose a dynamic model of Common Cause Failures (CCF) that allows to generate common cause events in time. The proposed model is a generalization of Binomial Failure Rate Model (Atwood model) that can generate staggered failures of multiple components due to a common cause. We implement the model using statechart formalism, a similar implementation can be adopted in other modeling languages like Petri Nets or Hybrid Stochastic Automata. The presented model was integrated in a Dynamic PRA study.