Multi-inspection time optimisation for a cracked component based on a updating reliability approach

Abstract

It is well acknowledged that Fatigue Crack Growth (FCG) processes is one of the main processes that can produce failure of structures and mechanical components. To ensure the survival of these components a maintenance inspection schedule is needed. The aim of this study is to develop a predicting inspection time model for structural FCG life based on updating reliability analysis. The proposed approach takes into account the additional information generated by the previous inspection results. First-order reliability method and surface response method are used to evaluate the reliability. The uncertainties such as material parameters and geometrical parameters that affect the lifespan of the structure were regarded as random variables. Updating reliability assessment based on Bayesian approach was introduced to determine the updating inspection time for target reliability. Moreover, the proposed approach leads to determine the optimal inspection time strategy based on an economic study under the minimal to...