Rapid increase of embedded systems in electronic and mechanical control systems requires reliable and error-free embedded software. State-based testing methods like FSM are usually used to assure the reliability of embedded software. However, because of possibility of explosion of test cases, only partial test cases are considered in practical tests, which cannot guarantee that all the possible errors are investigated. This study proposes a test procedure based on failure mechanisms that may occur in embedded systems, which can not only assure that certain kinds of possible errors are detected but reduce the testing time. The proposed procedure is applied to vehicle air control system.

Field and accelerated tests are performed to assess the service life of construction sealants. Mathematical degradation models for tensile strength and elongation, that are the two major performance characteristics of sealants, are derived from the test results. Accelerated degradation test methods for assessing service life of construction sealants are developed based on the degrading performance and a numerical example is provided.

Phenomenon, such as hardening, cracking or breaking etc.. of PVC tape for wiring harness by aging were detected on driven automobile in field. Hardening or cracking of PVC tape were confirmed decline of elongation by surrounding stress. The accelerated heat aging test was carried out applying temperature most important factor of aging, and then deduced an equation of useful life using arrhenius model. Prediction method of useful life of PVC tape was developed using miner rule calculating damage value by thermal energy classified temperature by matching deduced equation of useful life and measured temperature value on driven automobile in field.

Out door exposure to daylight and weather climate conditions can cause adverse effect on the properties of automotive plastic materials. The effects of sunlight exposure, especially ultra violet (UV) radiation, can break down the chemical bonds in a polymeric material. This degradation process is called photo-degradation and ultimately leads to color changes, cracking, chalking, the loss of physical properties and deterioration of other properties. To explore the effect of sunlight exposure on the automotive materials, this study investigated photo-oxidation degree and surface property change of molding parts by analytical methods. For the further study, accelerated weathering test methods are proposed, which can correlate with out door weathering, to predict long term performance of automotive plastic materials.