Use of Lifetime Functions in the Optimization of Nondestructive Inspection Strategies for Bridges
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 4
Abstract
A model using lifetime functions is used to evaluate the probability of survival of bridge components. The possible outcomes associated with nondestructive inspections (NDIs) are incorporated in an event-tree model. Each time a bridge component is inspected, different decisions can be made. The use of a lifetime function for each component of the structural system enables one to express the probability that the component survives. In theory (i.e., perfect inspection), each NDI should be associated with two possible outcomes: survival or failure. In the first case, no damage is detected and the probability density function of time to failure is updated knowing that the component has survived until the inspection. In the second case, damage is detected and maintenance action is planned. In practice, NDIs are subjected to uncertainties (i.e., imperfect inspections) and detecting or not detecting damage depends on the inspection quality (i.e., probability of detection). For poor-quality inspections, there is a significant risk to overestimate the probability of safe performance. The aim of this paper is to provide a practical methodology for determining optimal NDI strategies for different components of steel bridges. The different types of inspections considered in this paper are visual, magnetic particle, and ultrasonic. An economic analysis is performed and NDI strategies are optimized by simultaneously minimizing both the expected inspection/maintenance cost (i.e., the sum of inspection and maintenance costs) and the expected failure cost. The proposed approach is applied to an existing steel bridge.
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Acknowledgments
The support from (a) the National Science Foundation through grant NSFCMS-0639428, (b) the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development, through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Technology Alliance (PITA), (c) the U.S. Federal Highway Administration Cooperative Agreement Award FHADTFH61-07-H-00040, and (d) the U.S. Office of Naval Research Contract Number ONRN-00014-08-0188 is gratefully acknowledged. The opinions and conclusions presented in this paper are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring organizations.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 137 • Issue 4 • April 2011
Pages: 531 - 539
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 3, 2009
Accepted: Aug 20, 2010
Published online: Aug 25, 2010
Published in print: Apr 1, 2011
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