APPLICATIONS OF MATCHED-FIELD PROCESSING TO STRUCTURAL VIBRATION PROBLEMS

Matched-field processing (MFP) is a generalized procedure of array pro cessing used in ocean acoustics to localize sources. It is based on co mparing data with solutions to the wave equation using an assortment o f linear and nonlinear methods. The applicability of MFP techniques to localize sources of vibration in structures is explored through simul ations, starting with the relatively simple problem of localizing a po int force on a simply supported laterally vibrating beam. The Bartlett , minimum variance (as well as the eigenvector versions of these two), and a matched modal processor are used. In all cases localization was achieved. Additional complications such as spring constraints were ad ded in order to determine whether the MFP methods can still localize s ources of vibrations without full detailed modeling of additional stru ctural complexity. An application to nondestructive testing is also pr esented. (C) 1997 Acoustical Society of America.