SGER: Online Health Monitoring of Structural Systems Using Sensor-Based Multiple Input/Output Measurements

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, Blacksburg VA

Investigators

Abstract

The objective of this exploratory research project is to develop a new structural health monitoring scheme which will exploit the presence of nonlinearity in the system for damage identification. The multiple sensor responses collected on structures will be analyzed by higher order spectral approach and reverse dynamics method for damage identification. Most global structural health monitoring methods assume that the structure under investigation remains linear, and they thus ignore the presence of nonlinearity caused by damage such as those caused by opening and closing of a crack. The novelty of this investigation is that it will exploit the presence of nonlinearities in damage identification. The application of this approach on realistic civil engineering structures will be explored. This research is expected to provide a new structural health monitoring approach which is more sensitive to the presence of damage such as a crack. The research results of the investigation will be widely disseminated for use by other researchers and practicing engineers. The project will involve graduate and undergraduate students and thus help in creating a pool of highly trained technical people to join the nation?s work force.