Frequency domain decomposition-based multisensor data fusion for assessment of progressive damage in structures

Abstract

In this paper, we focused on the development and verification of a solid and robust framework for structural condition assessment of real-life structures using measured vibration responses, with the presence of multiple progressive damages occurring within the inspected structures. A self-tuning learning method for structural condition assessment was proposed. Damage sensitive features were extracted using a frequency domain decomposition (FDD) approach to fuse all the measured responses, followed by random projection algorithm for dimensionality reduction. An automatic parameter selection method called Appropriate Distance to the Enclosing Surface (ADES) was used for tuning the classifier parameter. The effect of operational conditions on the robustness of the proposed method was also investigated, and it was realized that application of FDD to extract damage sensitive feature reduces the variation in the results. Promising results in the assessment of damage were obtained based on two comprehensive case studies, which included single and multiple damage scenarios. The contributions of the work are threefold. First, through two comprehensive case studies, we demonstrate that the frequency-based feature from a single sensor might not be adequate enough to detect the progress of damage, even if the sensor is in the vicinity of damage. Second, we show that data fusion using FDD can reliably assess the severity of damage, and finally, we propose a new automated approach for tuning the classifier parameter. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.