Damage detection of circular cylindrical shells by Ritz method

Abstract

In this study, a new technique based on Ritz method is developed for damage detection of the circular cylindrical shell structures. Sander's thin shell theory in association with the Ritz method is used to analyze the dynamic behaviour of circular cylindrical shells. By equating the strain and kinetic energy mathematically, the eigenvalue problem is solved which will give the natural frequencies of the circular cylindrical shell. The crack damage on the shell surface is modelled by a line spring along the circumference of the shell. Different damage scenarios are simulated by the changes of the crack locations and spring stiffness. The location and extent of the damage are predicted by the changes of modal parameters. Numerical simulations show that the method is effective and accurate to determine the crack damage in the cylindrical shell structures.