Simulation-Assisted Fault Tree Analysis — SA-FTA

Simulation-assisted fault tree analysis (SA-FTA) combines the logical structure of classical fault tree analysis with Monte Carlo or discrete-event simulation to estimate the probability and timing of an undesired top event when component failures follow complex, non-exponential, or correlated probability distributions. The approach overcomes the analytical limitations of Boolean algebra-based FTA and is widely used in nuclear, aerospace, chemical process, and manufacturing reliability engineering.