Finite element modeling of a vibrating beam with a breathing crack: observations on crack detection

This article develops a finite element model in order to study the vibrational behavior of a beam with a nonpropagating edge crack. According to this model, the beam is discretized into finite elements while the breathing crack behavior is treated as a full frictional contact problem between the crack surfaces. The nonlinear dynamic equations of this model are solved using an incremental iterative procedure. The derived response is analyzed using either Fourier or wavelet transforms in order to determine the breathing crack effects. This study is applied to a cantilever beam subjected to dynamic loadings. Parametric studies are conducted to investigate the sensitivity of vibrational behavior to the crack angle, depth, and position. The accuracy of the results is validated through comparisons with results available from the literature.