Location of Multiple Damage Types in a Truss-Type Structure Using Multiple Signal Classification Method and Vibration Signals

A new multiple signal classification (MUSIC)-based methodology is presented for detecting and locating multiple damage types in a truss-type structure subjected to dynamic excitations. The methodology is based mainly on two steps: in step 1, the MUSIC method is employed to obtain the pseudo-spectra of vibration signatures, healthy and damaged, to be used for damage detection. In step 2, a new damage index, based on the obtained pseudo-spectra, is proposed to measure the structure condition. Furthermore, the damage location is estimated according to the variation in the amplitudes of the estimated pseudo-spectra. The presented results show that the proposed methodology can make an accurate and reliable estimation of the condition and location of three specific damage conditions, i.e., loosened bolts, internal corrosion, and external corrosion.