Probabilistic maintenance planning for the tubular joints in the steel gates in the eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier

This paper is a summary of a study on the tubular joints in the steel gates of the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier in the Netherlands. This study was commissioned by the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat) and carried out in the period 1985-1992. At a late stage during the fabrication of the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier it was found that, due to improper control during rolling, many tubes were made of steel with a relatively coarse grain. It was therefore decided to use probabilistic methods to determine the failure probability and optimum inspection strategy. The optimum strategy was determined on economic grounds, based on a consideration of the investments, costs of inspection, costs of repair and failure costs. Safety was included as a boundary condition. The study indicated that it was necessary for financial reasons to differentiate inspection schedules, depending on the load and type of material