DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ETL 1110-2-560
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
CECW-EI
Washington, DC 20314-1000
Technical Letter
No. 1110-2-560
30 June 2001
EXPIRES 1 July 2006
Engineering and Design
RELIABILITY ANALYSIS OF NAVIGATION LOCK
AND DAM MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
1. Purpose
This engineer technical letter (ETL) provides guidance for assessing the reliability of mechanical and
electrical systems of navigation locks and dams and for establishing an engineering basis for major
rehabilitation investment decisions. This cover letter defines terms and concepts associated with
reliability analysis. Appendix B lists Web sites that contain information useful to reliability studies,
Appendix C describes the acquisition of failure data, Appendix D gives an example reliability analysis for
mechanical equipment, Appendix E gives an example reliability analysis for electrical equipment,
Appendix F gives an example of lock and dam mission reliability, and Appendix G evaluates a non-
series-parallel system.
2. Applicability
This ETL is applicable to all USACE Commands having Civil Works responsibilities. It applies to all
studies for navigation lock and dam projects.
3. References
Publications are listed in Appendix A.
4. Distribution Statement
Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited.
5. Background
a. Navigation lock and dam facilities are an important link in the Nation's transportation system.
Their mission is to maintain the navigable waterways and allow both cargo transport and recreational
traffic between adjacent segments of the waterways. The mechanical and electrical components at these
facilities function as systems to operate the various gates and valves. Breakdowns and poor performance
of these systems can cause delays to navigation and adversely affect the overall national economy.
b. Lock and dam major rehabilitation projects began being budgeted under the Construction,
General, and Flood Control, Mississippi River and Tributaries appropriation account in Fiscal Year
This ETL supersedes ETL 1110-2-549 dated 30 November 1997.
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