Recurrence Analysis for Damage Detection and Localization in Beam Structure

Abstract

In the paper, application of the Recurrence Plots (RP) method to damage detection and localization in the beam structure is proposed. The RP is a well-established method of nonlinear data analysis dedicated to investigation into changes in dynamic behaviour of mechanical systems during their normal work. Interpretation of information provided by the recurrence plots can be supported by the estimation of the measures of Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA). The main emphasis of the paper is put on damage detection and localization in the aluminium beam subjected to burst random excitation provided by the electrodynamical shaker. In order to simulate the damage, the notch of known parameters and position was introduced to the system. System responses in the form of time series measured by vision methods (fast cameras) were analysed with the application of the RP and RQA methods. Obtained results proved high sensitivity of the applied methods to changes in dynamical system properties resulting from damage initialization.