Reliability evaluation of the ROPS systems for the harvesting machines with the application of the cusp catastrophe

The article is devoted to the estimation of reliability measures in terms of the catastrophe theory. The first part of the article considers the cusp catastrophe, where the control parameters are examined as normally disturbed quantities. The second part analyses appliance of the cusp catastrophe for designing elements of the technological machines and equipment in terms of ROPS (Roll-over protection system) of the wheeled skidder ROPS. The statistical linearization method is used to determine the distribution parameters (mean value, dispersion). The achieved analytical equations can be applied to define the quantity of strain energy, and to estimate the reliability function, failure probability (cusp catastrophe probability). This approach enables to carry out statistical analysis of balance near critical points. The obtained expressions can be applied to estimate the reliability function from the perspective of the catastrophe theory.