A new neural-network-based method for structural damage identification in single-layer reticulated shells

Single-layer reticulated shells (SLRSs) find widespread application in the roofs of crucial public structures, such as gymnasiums and exhibition center. In this paper, a new neural-network-based method for structural damage identification in SLRSs is proposed. First, a damage vector index, NDL, that is related only to the damage localization, is proposed for SLRSs, and a damage data set is constructed from NDL data. On the basis of visualization of the NDL damage data set, the structural damaged region locations are identified using convolutional neural networks (CNNs). By cross-dividing the damaged region locations and using parallel CNNs for each regional location, the damaged region locations can be quickly and efficiently identified and the undamaged region locations can be eliminated. Second, a damage vector index, DS, that is related to the damage location and damage degree, is proposed for SLRSs. Based on the damaged region identified previously, a fully connected neural network (FCNN) is constructed to identify the location and damage degree of members. The effectiveness and reliability of the proposed method are verified by considering a numerical case of a spherical SLRS. The calculation results showed that the proposed method can quickly eliminate candidate locations of potential damaged region locations and precisely determine the location and damage degree of members.