Wavelet-based damage detection method for beam-like structures

Abstract

This paper is concerned with a novel wavelet-based damage detection method for beam-like structures. The method employs the orthogonal wavelet transform (OWT), and is based on extracting an approximation function from the damaged mode of structure. This approximation function is considerably well correlated with the undamaged structural mode. Exploiting this function, the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) coefficients of both the damaged mode and the approximation function can be computed, and thus a reliable damage index can be obtained by taking their difference. The numerical simulations reveal that the proposed index is more capable in capturing damage-induced singularities than the classical approach based on using only the damaged mode.