Reliability　assessment　is　an　essential　step　to　promote　advanced　materials　and　components　into　applications.　In　this　paper,　a　general　reliability　assessment　framework　was　proposed　to　predict　the　lifetime　distribution　of　a　structural　steel　component　with　inherent　flaws.　By　combining　materials　information,　finite　element　analysis　of　the　stress　field　and　probabilistic　fracture　mechanics　model,　the　distribution　of　failure　probability　subjected　to　fatigue　loads　was　predicted.　The　local　failure　probability　distributions　identify　the　critical　regions　of　the　component　visually.　Both　the　global　failure　probability　and　the　local　failure　probability　distribution　can　be　considered　as　essential　and　fundamental　data　in　structure　design　and　system　maintenance.　Focus　was　placed　on　the　probabilistic　fracture　mechanics　model　and　fatigue　crack　growth　model.　©　2009　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.