copula-based reliability analysis of a complex system subject to wiener degradation process

The complex systems are of great importance in many real situations. here, a system consisting n elements each having l dependent components is considered, and the reliability of such system is discussed under degradation performance. it is assumed that the degradation of each component follows a wiener process and the dependence structure within the components is described by a flexible copula-based multivariate model. also, it is supposed that system has a k-out-of-n structure, and the components of each elements constitute a series system. a simulation study is provided to illustrate how the dependence of components within each element affects system reliability.