Study on Detection of Crack and Damage for Cantilever Beams Using Vibration Characteristics

Abstract

In this paper, the purpose is to investigate the natural frequency of a cracked Timoshenko cantilever beams by FEM(finite element method) and experiment. In addition, a method for detection of crack in a cantilever beams is presented based on natural frequency measurements. The governing differential equations of a Timoshenko beam are derived via Hamilton's principle. The two coupled governing differential equations are reduced to one fourth order ordinary differential equation in terms of the flexural displacement. The crack is assumed to be in the first mode of fracture and to be always opened during the vibrations. The detection method of a crack location in a beam based on the frequency measurements is extended here to Timoshenko beams, taking the effects of both the shear deformation and the rotational inertia into account. The differences between the actual and predicted crack positions and sizes are less than 6 % and 23 % respectively.