Structural Damage Identification Using Wavelet Packet Analysis and Neural Network

This paper describes a study on damage identification using wavelet packet analysis and neural networks. The identification procedure could be divided into three steps. First, structure responses are decomposed into wavelet packet components. Then, the component energies are used to define damage feature and to train neural network models. Finally, in combination with the feature of the damaged structure response, the trained models are employed to determine the occurrence, the location and the qualification of the damage. The emphasis of this study is put on multi-damage case. Relevant issues are studied in detail especially the selection of training samples for multi-damage identification oriented neural network training. A frame model is utilized in the simulation cases to study the sampling techniques and the multi-damage identification. Uniform design is determined to be the most suitable sampling technique through simulation results. Identifications of multi-damage cases of the frame including different levels of damage at various locations are investigated. The results show that damages are successfully identified in all cases.