A Damage Identification Method Using Vibration Modal Parameters Through Finite Element Discretization

Abstract

Natural frequencies and mode shapes of a structure will change whenever the structure has any kind of damage. This paper introduces a technique to quantify and locate the damage when the natural frequencies and mode shapes of undamaged and damaged structure are known. Aluminum beams (with and without damage) are used for numerical simulation and experimental verification. To establish the theoretical basis of this method, finite element formulation is used. A set of undetermined equations involving damage indices and natural frequencies and mode shapes of undamaged and damaged structures are obtained. The damage indices are computed using non-negative least squares method. Impact modal testing was conducted with three aluminum beams and damage indices based on experimental data are compared with actual damage cases to establish the effectiveness of this method to identify the damage.