Vibration-Based Damage Detection Using Finite Element Modeling and the Metaheuristic Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm

Abstract

The continuous development of new materials and larger and/or more complex structures drives the need for the development of more robust, accurate, and sensitive Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) techniques. In the present work, a novel vibration-based damage-detection method that contributes into the SHM field is presented using Metaheuristic algorithms coupled with optimal Finite Element Models that can effectively localize damage. The proposed damage-detection framework can be applied in any kind of detailed structural FE model, while requiring only the output information of the dynamic response of the structure. It can effectively localize damage in a structure by highlighting not only the affected part of the structure but also the specific damaged area inside the part. First, the optimal FE model of the healthy structure is developed using appropriate FE model updating techniques and experimental vibration measurements, simulating the undamaged condition. Next, the main goal of the proposed method is to create a damaged FE model that approximates the dynamic response of the damaged structure. To achieve this, a parametric area is inserted into the FE model, changing stiffness and mass to simulate the effect of the physical damage. This area is controlled by the metaheuristic optimization algorithm, which is embedded in the proposed damage-detection framework. On this specific implementation of the framework, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is selected which has been used for a wide variety of optimization problems in the past. On the PSO’s search space, two parameters control the stiffness and mass of the damaged area while additional location parameters control the exact position of the damaged area through the FE model. For effective damage localization, the Transmittance Functions from acceleration measurements are used which have been shown to be sensitive to structural damage while requiring output-only information. Finally, with proper selection of the objective function, the error that arises from modeling a physical damage with a linear damaged FE model can be minimized, thus creating a more accurate prediction for the damaged location. The effectiveness of the proposed SHM method is demonstrated via two illustrative examples: a simulated small-scale model of a laboratory-tested vehicle-like structure and a real experimental CFRP composite beam structure. In order to check the robustness of the proposed method, two small damage scenarios are examined for each validation model and combined with random excitations.

Model-Based Damage Localization Using the Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm and Dynamic Time Wrapping for Pattern Recreation

“…The main parts of the Damage Detection Framework are similar to the framework which was presented by the authors in the past [ 8 ]. A short description of these parts is included in Section 3.1 , Section 3.2 and Section 3.3 while the reader is encouraged to also refer to the previous work.…”

“…Recently, a Damage Detection Framework was presented [ 8 ] that is using vibration measurements in conjunction with Finite Element Models. The current work is advancing the same framework by addressing the issue of modeling errors between the physical structure and the FE model, which can be a serious concern in complex structures.…”

“…The proposed methodology relies upon and advances the previously presented Damage Detection Framework [ 8 ] and, as such, has the following advantages. First, it is a model-based damage detection method using vibration measurements with output-only information.…”

“…The following work is an advancement of the Damage Detection Framework [ 8 ], which was presented in the past by the authors. Therefore, the reader is encouraged to also refer to this previous work.…”

Research on the Reliability of a Core Control Unit of Highway Electromechanical Equipment Based on Virtual Sensor Data

“…However, considering that the vehicle–road coupling vibration is generally weak, it is uncertain whether this vibration will cause fatigue damage to the PCB in electromechanical equipment. To save costs, it is necessary to verify the feasibility of the method through simulation experiments in advance [ 24 ]. Based on the above analysis, this paper attempts to establish the road finite element model and the simplified the PCB model and then, through the virtual sensor in the finite element platform, to collect the road acceleration response data.…”