Modelling repairable systems with an early life under competing risks and asymmetric virtual age

In this paper, complex repairable systems presenting infant failures are considered. Different maintenance activities can be carried out such as corrective maintenances and planned preventive maintenances. The maintenance process is described using the competing risks framework under imperfect maintenance. Asymmetric virtual age models are assumed to characterize the maintenance efficiency. Statistical inference procedures are developed considering whether or not the causes of failure are recorded. Properties of the model are presented along with numerical estimations and an application to real data. - Highlights: • A competing risk model is proposed for repairable systems with imperfect maintenance. • Internal (manufacturing, design) defects and ageing failures are considered. • Corrective and preventive maintenance with specific efficiencies can be carried out. • Inference procedures are developed under complete and incomplete observations. • A simulation study along with an application to two real data sets is provided.