A 2-D continuous wavelet transform of mode shape data for damage detection of plate structures

A two-dimensional (2-D) continuous wavelet transform (CWT)-based damage detection algorithm using “Dergauss2d” wavelet for plate-type structures is presented. The 2-D CWT considered in this study is based on the formulation by Antoine et al. (2004). A concept of isosurface of 2-D wavelet coefficients is proposed, and it is generated to indicate the location and approximate shape or area of the damage. The proposed algorithm is a response-based damage detection technique which only requires the mode shapes of the damaged plates. This algorithm is applied to the numerical vibration mode shapes of a cantilever plate with different types of damage to illustrate its effectiveness and viability. A comparative study with other two 2-D damage detection algorithms, i.e., 2-D gapped smoothing method (GSM) and 2-D strain energy method (SEM), is performed, and it demonstrates that the proposed 2-D CWT-based algorithm is superior in noise immunity and robust with limited sensor data. The algorithm is further implemented in an experimental modal test to detect impact damage in an FRP composite plate using smart piezoelectric actuators and sensors, demonstrating its applicability to the experimental mode shapes. The present 2-D CWT-based algorithm is among a few limited studies in the literature to explore the application of 2-D wavelets in damage detection, and as demonstrated in this study, it can be used as a viable and effective technique for damage identification of plate- or shell-type structures.