Reliability is an essential concept in mathematics, computing, research, and all disciplines of engineering, and reliability as a characteristic is, in fact, a probability. Therefore, in this book, the author uses the statistical approach to reliability modelling along with the MINITAB software package to provide a comprehensive treatment of modelling, from the basics through advanced modelling techniques.

The book begins by presenting a thorough grounding in the elements of modelling the lifetime of a single, non-repairable unit. Assuming no prior knowledge of the subject, the author includes a guide to all the fundamentals of probability theory, defines the various measures associated with reliability, then describes and discusses the more common lifetime models: the exponential, Weibull, normal, lognormal and gamma distributions. She concludes the groundwork by looking at ways of choosing and fitting the most appropriate model to a given data set, paying particular attention to two critical points: the effect of censored data and estimating lifetimes in the tail of the distribution.

The focus then shifts to topics somewhat more difficult:

Kingsley Ukoba is a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Mechanical Engineering Science of the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He obtained a doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, in South Africa, graduating among the top 15 researchers. He coordinates the smart energy group for JENANO, headed by Professor Jen. He is among the authors for the African Integrated Assessment report by the United Nations Environment Programme, African Union Commission, CCAC, and Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) joint publication. He is also a 2022 Engineering for Change (E4C) fellow sponsored by American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to support an Impact Project around Climate Action. He has authored book chapters and journal articles, has presented at conferences, and serves as a reviewer for high-impact journals and conferences.

Tien-Chien Jen is the head of Department of Mechanical Engineering Science at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He is the SARChI Chair for Green Hydrogen in South Africa. A director of the Atomic Layer Deposition Research Centre of the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Prior to that, he was a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States of America. Prof Jen received his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), specializing in the thermal aspects of grinding. He is currently leading the drive for the application of atomic layer deposition equipment (first of its kind in Africa) for various applications (hydrogen, renewable energy, thin films, etc.). He is a fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and member of Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), among others. Prof. Jen has written over 360 peer-reviewed articles, including 180 peer-reviewed journal papers, 16 book chapters, and 5 books to date.