Reliability

Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM)

Abstract

Fluor's Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) engineering model is a technique used to quantify reliability and identify specific means for design enhancement. The technique involves a systems engineering approach, whereby a pre-defined system is broken down into its component parts to determine how each of these, and combinations thereof, affect the whole. In this manner, Fluor's RAM analyst can determine all of the causes of potential outages and evaluate the criticality of each.

Client Benefits

The function of Fluor's RAM Analysis is to optimize the design by the identification of cost-effective reliability enhancement measures and also to reduce capital costs by identifying and eliminating any areas of over-design, such as unnecessary redundancy. The primary object of the RAM study is to evaluate the current design and determine if there are alternate, more cost-effective system or equipment configurations which offer either improved reliability, or provide for adequate reliability at a lower capital cost. This is in line with the overall strategy of developing a fit-for-purpose design. Further objectives include the confirmation of assumptions contained in the existing economic model and the development of a useful living model to aid operations personnel throughout the lifetime of the system.