Structural damage assessment using improved Dempster-Shafer data fusion algorithm

As an efficient tool in handling uncertain issues, Dempster-Shafer evidence theory has been increasingly used in structural health monitoring and damage detection. In applications, however, Dempster-Shafer evidence theory sometimes leads to counter-intuitive results. In this study, a new fusion algorithm of evidence theory is put forward to address various counter-intuitive problems and manage the reliability difference of the evidence. The proposed algorithm comprises the following aspects: (1) Dempster's combination rule is generalized by introducing the concept of evidence ullage. The new rule allows classical Dempster's rule and can resolve counter-intuitive problems cause by evidence conflict and evidence compatibility; (2) a reliability assessing method based on a priori and posterior knowledge is proposed. Compared with conventional reliability assessment, the proposed method can reflect the actual evidence reliabilities and can efficiently reduce decision risk. Numerical examples confirm the validity and utility of the proposed algorithm. In addition, an experimental investigation on a spatial truss structure is carried out to illustrate the identified ability of the proposed approach. The results indicate that the fusion algorithm has no strict request on the accuracy and consistency of evidence sources and can efficiently enhance diagnostic accuracy.