A damage identification method for truss structures using a flexibility-based damage probability index and differential evolution algorithm

An efficient method for the multiple damage detection of truss systems using a flexibility-based damage probability index (FBDPI) and differential evolution algorithm (DEA) is proposed. In the first step, a new FBDPI is introduced to find the potentially damaged elements of truss systems. The proposed FBDPI is based on the changes of elemental strain, due to damage, computed by the flexibility matrix of the structure. The flexibility matrix of the structure is dynamically estimated using modal analysis data. In the second step, the reduced damage problem is transformed into a standard optimization problem having few damage variables. Then, the DEA is employed to solve the optimization problem for determining the actual location and severity of damaged elements. Simulation results considering measurement noise demonstrate the high efficiency of the proposed method for the damage detection of truss structures.