Mis-specification analysis of linear Wiener process–based degradation models for the remaining useful life estimation

The linear Wiener process–based degradation model is commonly used for the lifetime assessment and remaining useful life estimation. This article addresses the effects of model mis-specification of the linear Wiener process for the remaining useful life estimation. First, we study the model mis-specification effects on the parameters’ estimation and the lifetime distribution. Then, the effects of model mis-specification on the remaining useful life estimation and the predictive maintenance decision-making are analysed through some numerical examples and a case study. The results show that mis-specifying the linear Wiener process without measurement error as that with measurement error is negligible. However, under the inverse condition, the mis-specification could result in premature maintenances or failure maintenances, which increases the maintenance costs.