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This paper innovates, within the context of preventive maintenance planning, the application of Genetic Algorithm, as a modem powerful optimization tool, in minimum downtime strategies, for optimal part replacement. Therefore, a brief account of Genetic Algorithm is given and a computer program is written to aid the solution of such problems by Genetic Algorithm. Then, the program is used to solve a numerical example, concerning an equipment with Gaussian failure characteristics. The results obtained by Genetic Algorithm and the ordinary methods are compared to show that exactly the same results can be approached by the application of
1- Shiraz University
GENETIC ALGORITHM IN OPTiMAL
Genetic Algorithm. Genetic. Algorithm and maintenance planning, both being subjects of statistical nature, can be combined to provide a vast area of interesting research work and, hence, some guidelines are suggested for further research.