Risk assessment using FMEA method and on the basis of MCDM, Fuzzy logic and Grey theory - a case study of overhead cranes

FMEA method is one of the most used techniques in risk assessment and prioritization. But, due to several reasons, its application has been limited to the real-world settings. The aim of this study was to deal with these restrictions using the combined fuzzy (in terms of the Z-numbers) and grey (in terms of the grey relational analysis) theories.
Material and The current study is an analytical cross-sectional survey that was performed to prioritize the failure modes of the overhead cranes. Initially, an FMEA team including 4 specialists was established. Then, the opinions of the team members were gathered in terms of the Z-numbers and the weights of the risk factors (O¡ S, and D) were determined using the fuzzy AHP method. Finally, the failure modes were prioritized using the GRP method.
From 13 cases of the identified failure modes, the conventional FMEA was assigned equal priority to the 7 cases and as a result 9 risk priorities were determined. But, in the proposed method, because of the elimination of the restrictions of conventional FMEA, 13 risk priorities were assigned to the failure modes.
Relying upon the fuzzy AHP, Z-numbers and GRP method, the proposed method dealt with the equal weights of the risk factors, fuzziness of the data (expert’s judgments) and the prioritization of the failure modes. The proposed method has more capabilities in relation to the conventional FMEA for prioritization of the failure modes.