Vibration-based health monitoring and damage detection in beam-like structures with innovative approaches based on signal processing: A numerical and experimental study

Abstract

Beams and columns serve as foundational components within structures, bridges, and industrial machinery. Detecting even minor defects in these crucial elements before they escalate into more significant damage holds paramount importance. Employing an innovative methodology grounded in the two-dimensional discrete wavelet transform alongside curvature analysis, this study scrutinizes the one-dimensional mode shape signals extended to two-dimensional. More precisely, it introduces the Wavelet Expansion Index (WEI) and the Normalized Wavelet Discontinuity Index (NWDI) to effectively pinpoint various damage locations. Numerical and laboratory investigations demonstrate that fractures and discontinuities in the WEI graph and peaks arising from irregularities in the NWDI graph are generated. Consequently, damage locations are identified, such that using NWDI, damaged areas can be detected with an error of less than 4%.