Identification of damage in composite structures: A numerical model

This article deals with a numerical technique for the identification of dam age in composite structures. The laminated structure is modeled by finite e lements. When the structure undergoes some kind of damage, its stiffness is reduced, changing the dynamic response. By considering the sensitivities o f the orthogonality conditions of the mode shapes, a novel algorithm is for mulated, which calculates a damage parameter in each finite element. The da mage parameter is related directly to the reduction in stiffness of the dam aged finite element. The proposed numerical model allows the identification of multiple damage and does not require a priori knowledge of the probable areas of damage. The algorithm is applied to a laminated rectangular plate and its efficiency is demonstrated through several damage simulations.