A method for the non-destructive detection and location of damage usin
g parameterized partial differential equations and Galerkin approximat
ion techniques is presented. Damages in a structure cause changes in t
he physical coefficients of mass density, elastic modulus and damping
coefficients. This paper examines the use of beam like structures with
piezoceramic sensors and actuators to perform identification of those
physical parameters, and hence to detect the damage. The method casts
the inverse problem as an optimization problem. The iterative method
is based on enhanced least-square error minimization. Experimental res
ults are presented from tests on cantilevered aluminum beams damaged a
t different locations and with damage of different dimensions. It is d
emonstrated that the method can sense the presence of damage, and loca
te and characterize the damage to a satisfactory precision. (C) 1996 A
cademic Press Limited