Dam Safety Inspection Scheduling

Abstract

Safety inspection of dams can be scheduled on a probabilistic basis considering detectability and repair probability. In this paper, a method of inspection scheduling for a dam is suggested by using an availability model. Unavailability is defined as the state in which a dam is operating under unsatisfactory conditions with deficiencies. The deficiencies may or may not be detected in an inspection, and a detected deficiency may or may not be repaired in due time. The paper proposes to relate the expected availability of a dam to the frequency of dam inspection, the detectability of the inspection routine, the likelihood of owners' compliance to repair orders, and the construction quality of the given dam. The deteriorating characteristics of a dam with time could also affect its availability. The case of inspection scheduling for a nonaging dam is first developed, followed by the case of an aging dam. Examples are given to demonstrate the proposed procedure.