Computational framework for risk-based planning of inspections, maintenance and condition monitoring using discrete Bayesian networks

Abstract This paper presents a computational framework for risk-based planning of inspections and repairs for deteriorating components. Two distinct types of decision rules are used to model decisions: simple decision rules that depend on constants or observed variables (e.g. inspection outcome), and advanced decision rules that depend on variables found using Bayesian updating (e.g. probability of failure). Two decision models are developed, both relying on dynamic Bayesian networks (dBNs) for deterioration modelling. For simple decision rules, dBNs are used directly for exact assessment of total expected life-cycle costs. For advanced decision rules, simulations are performed to estimate the expected costs, and dBNs are used within the simulations for decision-making. Information from inspections and condition monitoring are included if available. An example in the paper demonstrates the framework and the implemented strategies and decision rules, including various types of condition-based maintenance. The strategies using advanced decision rules lead to reduced costs compared to the simple decision rules when condition monitoring is applied, and the value of condition monitoring is estimated by comparing the lowest costs obtained with and without condition monitoring.