Deterioration analysis of materials and finite elements

In this study we examine the spectral properties of stiffness degradation a t the constitutive level and at the levels of finite elements and their ass emblies. The principal objective is to assess the effects of defects on the elastic stiffness properties at different levels of observation. In partic ular, we are interested in quantitative damage measures, which characterize the fundamental mode of degradation in the form of elastic damage at the l evel of constitutive relations and at the level of finite elements and stru ctures.