Abstract
A method for reliability updating of a group of similar structures is presented. The sources for variation among inspection results of structural details are divided into the effect of the particular structure a detail is imbedded in, the effect of the detail type, and the effect of a modeling error term. By using the proposed method, a deeper understanding of the causes of the differences among inspection results is possible, and as a consequence, a better inspection planning can be made.
Furthermore, since data of several structures and details are investigated at the same time, faster convergence rates to the true values are obtained than if just one individual structure is considered, making it possible for an owner or operator to keep the reliability of his fleet above a specified minimum level more cost effectively.
