Damage Detection for Simply Supported Beams Using Mid-Span Displacement Indicator

Abstract

This paper investigates the detection of damage for simply supported beams to ensure their safety. Based on the analysis of possible kinds of damage may occur, this paper presents a new approach which relies on the fact that any change in local stiffness caused by damage can be reflected by the change of mid-span displacement between the intact and damaged beams. Direct relationship between the change in local stiffness and the measured mid-span displacement values is developed. This approach can identify the geometric locations of damage and then inspection means are used as a complement to find the real damage phenomena within the obtained small region. A numerical example is given to illustrate the feasibility and the effectiveness of the approach. The novel content offered by authors provides a simple, convenient, cost-effective, and nondestructive damage detection approach for simply supported beams.