TECHNICAL PAPERS
Jun 1, 1995

Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair with Partial Observability

Publication: Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Volume 1, Issue 2

Abstract

A partially observable Markov decision process (MDP) model is presented that extends beyond completely observable approaches by recognizing that inspections do not yield perfect estimates of the true internal state of system components. The approach permits the exact solution of problems whose output is inspection and maintenance policies that prescribe when to inspect, how to inspect, when to repair and how to repair, so as to minimize discounted life-cycle costs. The extension to accommodate partial observability does, however, exact a significant computational demand. The model is demonstrated with a one-lane, two-girder bridge inspection, maintenance, and repair application.

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Information & Authors

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Published In

Go to Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Volume 1Issue 2June 1995
Pages: 92 - 99

History

Published online: Jun 1, 1995
Published in print: Jun 1995

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Authors

Affiliations

Hugh Ellis, Associate Member, ASCE
Prof., Dept. of Geography and Envir. Engrg. and Dept. of Civ. Engrg., The Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD 21218.
Mingxiang Jiang
Grad. Student, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., The Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD.
Ross B. Corotis, Fellow, ASCE
Dean, Coll. of Engrg. and Appl. Sci., Campus Box 422, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309.

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