A reliability and maintainability analysis by the Monte Carlo simulation technique is presented for the structural systems constructed with several subsystems and subjected to cyclic loading. Preexisting cracks in a subsystem grow up under the cyclic loading until the length of one of them reaches a critical value and the failure of the subsystem occurs.
The structural system is inspected periodically by nondestructive methods. Whenever a crack is detected during the inspection, the structural strength of the system is renewed by the repair or replacement of the implicated member.
The failure and maintenance of a model for analysis is simulated by the Monte Carlo technique developed for a special purpose. The recommended procedure enable us to evaluate the effect of inspection number on the reliability and availability of the system, and to find out the optimum policy for maintenance. A method of parameter sensitivity analysis is also described which gives the best way to improve the reliability and availability of structural systems.
