Experimental verification and comparison of mode shape-based damage detection methods

This paper presents experimental verification and comparison of damage detection methods based on changes in mode shapes such as: mode shape curvature (MSC), modal assurance criterion (MAC), strain energy (SE), modified Laplacian operator (MLO), generalized fractal dimension (GFD) and Wavelet Transform (WT). The object of the investigation is to determine benefits and drawbacks of the aforementioned methods and to develop data preprocessing algorithms for increasing damage assessment effectiveness by using signal processing techniques such as interpolation and extrapolation of measured points. Noise reduction algorithms based on moving average, median filter, and wavelet decomposition are also tested. The experiments were performed on an aluminium plate with riveted stiffeners. Damage was introduced in a form of damaged rivets and a saw cut in the angle bar. Measurements were made using a non-contact Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer (SLDV) at 101 points in two rows, distributed over the structure height and positioned along two reinforcing ribs.