Application of Markov renewal theory and semi‐Markov decision processes in maintenance modeling and optimization of multi‐unit systems

Abstract In this paper, a condition‐based maintenance model for a multi‐unit production system is proposed and analyzed using Markov renewal theory. The units of the system are subject to gradual deterioration, and the gradual deterioration process of each unit is described by a three‐state continuous time homogeneous Markov chain with two working states and a failure state. The production rate of the system is influenced by the deterioration …