Estimating join points and modelling for multiple change point problem

In life time data analysis, it is often realistic to believe that early failures occur at one pace and afterwards at different rates. In this article, we propose a general modelling method for a continuous hazard function with multiple change points. We assume the multiple change point curve to be composed of phases that are complex functions of time. The complex functions can be represented by suitable known functions of time. We have tried four such functional combinations for different phases. We have illustrated our proposed methodology with an application to modelling lifetimes of printed circuit boards. To conclude, we have compared our models with previously developed single change point model and displayed that our models fit the data much better. © 2013 Operational Research Society of India.