Variable Amplitude Loading Strains Data Distribution Using Probability Density Function and Power Spectral Density

Abstract

This paper presents a relative study on variable amplitude (VA) strain data distribution using the approach of probability density function (PDF) and power spectral density (PSD). PDF is a technique to identify the probability of the value falling within a particular interval, and a PSD is to measure the power of a signal by converting it from the time domain to the frequency domain. The objective of this study is to observe the applicability of both techniques in detecting the pattern behaviour in terms of energy and probability distribution. For this reason, a set of case study data consist of nonstationary VA pattern with a random behaviour was used. This kind of data was measured by fixing a strain gauge that connected to the strain data acquisition on the lower suspension arm of a mid-sized sedan car. The data was measured for 60 seconds at the sampling rate of 500 Hz, which gave 30,000 discrete points. The distribution of collected data was then calculated and analysed in the form of both PDF and PSD, and they were then compared for further analysis. The findings from this study are expected for determining the pattern behaviour that exists in VA strain signals.