Non-periodic inspection by Bayesian method II: structures with elements subjected to different stress levels

Abstract A companion paper introduced a Bayesian analysis methodology to determine appropriate non-periodic inspection intervals of fatigue-sensitive structures, so that their reliability remains above a prespecified minimum level throughout their service life. This paper extends the methodology to structures with elements subjected to different stress levels. The Bayesian approach presented in this paper is unique and novel in that it allows one to utilize judiciously the results of earlier inspections for the purpose of determining the time of the next inspection and estimating the values of several parameters involved in the problem that can be treated as uncertain. Numerical simulations verify the above-mentioned capabilities of the Bayesian method.