Damage Identification in Beams Using Experimental Data

There are several techniques for non-destructive damage detection in structures. However, they are costly and require a very precise analysis of the extent of the structure. Numerical methods can help in nondestructive testing of structures, showing the possible location of the damage and thereby decreasing the area of analysis and constituting less expensive nondestructive tests. Outstanding among the numerical methods most used to detect damage are the finite element method and the boundary element method. This paper presents the application of wavelet transform for damage detection to the static response of a beam (profile I) simply supported with a point load. Damage simulation was achieved using saw cuts in the top and bottom flanges of the beam.