A global statistical model based approach for vibration response-only damage detection under various temperatures: A proof-of-concept study

The statistical damage detection in a composite beam structure operating under different temperatures is considered based on vibration response-only signals. For this purpose a novel stochastic global model approach is introduced based upon statistical hypothesis testing and identified Functionally Pooled models capable of describing the temperature-dependent dynamics. Two versions of the approach that use either modal or discrete-time model parameters are postulated. This is a proof-of-concept study in which the effectiveness of the approach is confirmed via laboratory experiments. Comparisons with alternative methods attempting removal of the temperature effects from the damage-sensitive features are also made. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.