Fault tree analysis -- a new risk analysis and assessment framework for process safety

Simpson, Amanda

Student Work

Fault tree analysis -- a new risk analysis and assessment framework for process safety

Public

This project explores the risk assessment method known as Fault Tree Analysis, which provides a coherent and logical method of evaluating the sequence of events required for any given undesirable incident to occur. Through exploring two case studies this project illustrates the Fault Tree Analysis framework as being a strictly logical and consistent method that eliminates the uncertainty that would otherwise be created by the individual's opinion, which is a common concern among other forms of risk assessment. Once the appropriate sequence of events has been generated using the Fault Tree Methodology, failure rate data can then be applied to the individual components of the sequence to provide probability ranges pertaining to the undesirable incident.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator