Life-Cycle of Structures under Uncertainty : Emphasis on Fatigue-Sensitive Civil and Marine Structures

Life-cycle analysis is a systematic tool for efficient and effective service life management of deteriorating structures. In the last few decades, theoretical and practical approaches for life-cycle performance and cost analysis have been developed extensively due to increased demand on structural safety and service life extension. This book presents the state-of-the-art in life-cycle analysis and maintenance optimization for fatigue-sensitive structures. Both theoretical background and practical applications have been provided for academics, engineers and researchers. Concepts and approaches of life-cycle performance and cost analysis developed in recent decades are presented. The major topics covered include (a) probabilistic concepts of life-cycle performance and cost analysis, (b) inspection, monitoring and maintenance for fatigue cracks, (c) estimation of fatigue crack detection, (d) optimum inspection and monitoring planning, (e) multi-objective life-cycle optimization, and (f) decision making in life-cycle analysis. Life-cycle optimization covered in the book considers probability of fatigue crack detection, fatigue crack damage detection time, maintenance times, probability of failure, service life and total life-cycle cost. For the practical application and integration of recently developed approaches for inspection and maintenance planning, efficient and effective multi-objective optimization and decision making are presented. This book will help engineers engaged in civil and marine structures including students, researchers and practitioners with reliable and cost-effective maintenance planning of fatigue-sensitive structures, and to develop more advanced approaches and techniques in the field of life-cycle maintenance optimization and safety of structures under various aging and deteriorating conditions. Key Features: Provides the state-of-the-art in life-cycle cost analysis and optimization for fatigue-sensitive structures Provides a solid foundation o