Structural damage detection in a simple cantilever plate

Damage detection is an important aspect of structural engineering. Structural damage detection using frequency response function (FRF) data is becoming a useful technique in assessing the integrity of a structure subjected to dynamic loading. This technique differs from others that rely on both modal analysis results of FRF data and a finite element (FE) model of a structure. Since FRF data are usually the direct product of a modal testing exercise, the use of these data in damage detection circumvents possible curve fitting errors and maximize the abundant information the data inherit. In order to proceed with damage detection, the degree-of-freedom (DOF) incompatibility between the FE modal and measured FRF data needs to be addressed first. Many methods have been proposed in the literature. This paper explores a simple but useful method, i.e. by eliminating rows and columns of mass and stiffness matrices in order to achieve the DOF compatibility. A simple cantilever thin plate is used for this study.