Damage Localization in Laminated Composite Beams with Multiple Edge Cracks Based on Vibration Measurements

Abstract

This study presents identification and localization of open transverse edge cracks in laminated composite beams by using vibration measurements. To this aim, a composite cantilever beam is considered under six damage scenarios. Natural frequencies and mode shapes of the beam for each case are obtained numerically by using a shear-deformable finite element model as well as ANSYS® software. Experimental measurements are then performed to validate the numerically calculated results. To show consistency among the calculated and measured results, modal assurance criterion values are obtained for each case. For determination of the crack locations on the beam, changes in the mode shape curvature and the modal flexibility are employed based on the experimental and numerical modal data. Comparisons showed that the methods considered give reasonable results, and they can be efficiently used for damage localization in laminated composite beams including multiple edge cracks.