Fuzzy set solutions for optimal maintenance strategy selection

Selecting optimal maintenance strategy under fuzzy environment is not a trivial task. This paper presents an illustration of multi-criteria maintenance strategy selection under fuzzy environment. Three most common maintenance strategies and eight maintenance decision criteria have been considered and most appropriate/optimal strategy selection process is demonstrated using three different techniques/methods. Fuzzy linguistic terms have been used to rate and weigh the maintenance decision criteria. Linguistic terms/variables are represented by triangular fuzzy sets/ number and fuzzy set operations have been carried out using α-cut method. The basic technique used is rating and ranking method using fuzzy set theory wherein ratings of alternatives/strategies is determined first and then ranking is carried out to decide the optimal strategy. Other methods i.e. ranking fuzzy sets using cardinal utilities and by maximizing and minimizing sets are also established to confirm our choice of optimal maintenance strategy.