Application of substance-field analysis for failure analysis

In 1991 Zlotin and Zusman proposed to systematically search for possible scenarios by utilizing an inversion approach. Instead of searching for the reasons of a failure, they suggested to generate system failures. This approach has since been further developed and successfully utilized by industry. This paper presents two practical application of the 'inverted' systematized Substance-Field Analysis for failure analysis. The first case study is devoted to application of Substance-Field Analysis in establishing the reasons for a wiper switch failure. In the second case study Substance-Field Analysis had been used to establish the main reasons for sediment spillage created during backhoe dredging.