Another ten years have elapsed since publication of the fourth edition. In that interval there have been further significant developments in reliability engineering methods, mainly related to the use of software to perform analysis of designs and of reliability data. Of course there have also been developments in engineering that affect reliability. The internet has added a new dimension to the availability of information and tools.
In order to describe many of these developments, Andre Kleyner has taken on the role of joint author and the two of us have worked together to create this new edition. Andre has contributed most of the new material. In particular, he has provided the software-based solutions to many of the examples, supplementing or replacing manual and graphical methods. He has also updated some of the technology aspects and contributed new sections on data analysis and other topics.
The main changes and additions include:
A solutions manual for the end-of-chapter questions and instructor's PowerPoint slides are available as a free download, to course tutors only at: www.wiley.com/go/oconnor_reliability5.
We hope that the new edition will maintain the value of Practical Reliability Engineering to engineers, managers, teachers and students.
PATRICK O'CONNOR
2011