TIME-DOMAIN ANALYSIS FOR DAMAGE DETECTION IN SMART STRUCTURES

A non-destructive time domain approach to examine structural damage is presented. Unlike frequency domain methods which generally rely on an alytical models, this method is independent of modal parameters and an alytical models. Time histories of the vibration response of the struc ture were used to identify the presence of damage. Two simple finite e lement models were constructed to examine axial as well as transverse vibrations. The knowledge gained from these simulations led to a serie s of experiments which substantiated the potential of the proposed met hod. Comparing time responses, e.g., displacement of velocity, due to different material defects revealed the existence of damage in cases w here measured frequency shifts were minimal. (C) 1997 Academic Press L imited.