# Optimal adaptive inspection and maintenance planning for deteriorating structural systems

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2102.06016 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2102.06016/

## Key facts

- Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 10 Feb 2021.

## Built on by (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [Inference and dynamic decision-making for deteriorating systems with probabilistic dependencies through Bayesian networks and deep reinforcement learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2209.01092/) (2022)
- [IMP-MARL: a Suite of Environments for Large-scale Infrastructure Management Planning via MARL](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.11551/) (2023)
- [An investigation of belief-free DRL and MCTS for inspection and maintenance planning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2312.14824/) (2023)
- [Graph-Based Inference and Topology-Aware Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning for Large-Scale Railway Network Management](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.30150/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Optimizing inspection and maintenance (I&M) plans for a large deteriorating structure is a computationally challenging task, in particular if one considers interdependences among its components. This is due to the sheer number of possible decision alternatives over the lifetime of the structure and the uncertainty surrounding the deterioration processes, the structural performance and the outcomes of inspection and maintenance actions. To address this challenge, Luque and Straub (2019) proposed a heuristic approach in which I&M plans for structural systems are defined through a set of simple decision rules. Here, we formalize the optimization of these decision rules and extend the approach to enable adaptive planning. The initially optimal I&M plan is successively adapted throughout the service life, based on past inspection and monitoring results. The proposed methodology uses stochastic deterioration models and accounts for the interdependence among structural components. The heuristic-based adaptive planning is illustrated for a structural frame subjected to fatigue.