Integral analysis and optimization of monitoring and inspection in aging structures: a Bayesian network approach

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Daniel Straub
• Subject Area: Structural Engineering, Building Informatics and Construction Operation ; Applied Mechanics, Statics and Dynamics
• Term: from 2012 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 229790985

Significant research resources have been invested into the development of monitoring systems for aging engineering systems. At the same time, only limited efforts have been directed towards developing models and methods to quantitatively assess the information gained with these systems and to quantify the benefit of these monitoring systems. Quantitative models for understanding and assessing the effect of monitoring systems are lacking, in particular when considering combinations of several monitoring systems and inspection techniques. To develop and investigate such models is the goal of this project. These shall enable a better understanding of the impact of monitoring systems on the reliability and shall allow to quantify the Value of Information obtained from these systems. The research will employ physically-based probabilistic models of the deteriorating engineering structures and the monitoring and inspection systems. With few exceptions, this approach to assess the effect of monitoring has not been pursued; a main reason being the difficulties in the modeling and the associated large computational efforts. The recently introduced Bayesian network approach to stochastic modeling of deterioration offers unique possibilities to address these challenges. Initial results for individual structural components are promising. Therefore, this research project aims at developing methods to assess the effect of monitoring combined with inspection on the reliability of deteriorating structures, using physically-based models implemented in a Bayesian network model framework. To ensure the feasibility of the project, it will focus on offshore steel structures subject to fatigue, for which structural and deterioration models are readily available. However, the results of the project will be transferable to other types of structures and deterioration mechanisms. In addition, a major expected outcome of the project is didactic: The models needed for quantitatively assessing the impact of monitoring and inspection in an integral way will not least facilitate a better understanding and communication of which information monitoring systems must provide to be effective. Given the economic importance of deterioration in infrastructure and engineering systems and given the significant amount of resources spent on developing and implementing monitoring systems, the potential impact of this research is considerable.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants