Mode shape curvature of multiple cracked beam and its use for crack identification in beam-like structures

Abstract

The problem of using the modal curvature for crack detection is discussed in this paper based on an exact expression of mode shape and its curvature. Using the obtained herein exact expression for the mode shape and its curvature, it is demonstrated that the mode shape curvature is really more sensitive to crack than mode shape itself. Nevertheless, crack-induced change in the approximate curvature calculated from the exact mode shape by the central finite difference technique (Laplacian) is much greater in comparison with both the mode shape and curvature. It is produced by the fact, shown in this study, that miscalculation of the approximate curvature is straightforwardly dependent upon crack magnitude and resolution step of the finite difference approximation. Therefore, it can be confidently recommended to use the approximate curvature for multiple crack detection in beam by properly choosing the approximation mesh. The theoretical development has been illustrated by numerical results.