Wave propagation in cracked frame structures by the spectral element method

Abstract

This paper deals with the detection of crack in frame structures based on Euler–Bernoulli beams theorem by the Spectral Element Method. The effect of cracking is modeled using Castigliano’s theorem and laws of fracture mechanics as mass-less rotational and translational springs which are embedded in different locations of the steel frame structure in both beam and column. The crack location is revealed precisely without prior knowledge of their positions in frame structure. This means that there is no necessity to know the location and the node number which is assigned to crack. Finally the effect of crack when it is embedded simultaneously in both beam and column members, is also studied.