Inspection Models for Technical Systems

Abstract

The objective of this chapter is to present a literature review on inspection maintenance modelling issues. The discussed maintenance models are classified into two main groups—form single- and multi-unit systems. For single-unit systems the reviewed research works include such modelling issues like optimum and nearly optimum inspection policies, shock occurrence, information uncertainty, sequential inspection, multi-state objects, or imperfect inspection performance. The classification also includes optimality criterion, planning horizon, and used modelling method. The maintenance models for multi-unit systems regard to the two types of technical objects—protective devices (or standby units) and operational units. The main extensions of the developed models are discussed and summarized. Moreover, the main development directions in inspection maintenance modelling are presented in a graphical form. The brief summary of the conducted literature review is provided with indicating the main research gaps in this modelling area.