A generalized flexibility matrix based approach for structural damage detection

In this paper, a new structural damage detection approach based on changes in the generalized flexibility matrix is presented. The generalized flexibility matrix is first introduced; its sensitivity and change are then used to detect structural damage location and damage extent. Compared with the original flexibility matrix based approach, the effect of truncating higher-order modes can be considerably reduced in this new approach. Finally, a numerical example for a simply supported beam is used to illustrate the effectiveness of this proposed method.