Reliability-based reassessment of corrosion fatigue life

A reliability-based evaluation approach for pitting corrosion fatigue damag e which combines analytical estimation and nondestructive inspection is dev eloped in this paper. First, a mechanics-based probabilistic life model for the corrosion fatigue on the surface of a lap sheet is established and the n a reassessment approach is developed after in-service inspection. The rel iability of the NDI technique is quantified through a probabilistic descrip tion of its detectability and accuracy. The reassessment approach incorpora tes the reliability of the NDI technique, inspection data and prior predict ion in a probabilistic framework for decisions regarding maintenance or rep air. The methodology is illustrated through a numerical example and the eff ect of the reliability of the NDI technique on reassessment results is inve stigated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.