Mode Shape Change Based System Identification: An Improvement using Distribute Computing and Roving Technique

Structure health monitoring is still a challenging issue despite continuous research efforts since a long time. Modeshape changes are a remarkable symptom of the damaged element location in structural system identification. In this paper, various mode shape based prediction techniques are applied to a common structural model. A cantilever beam model is formulated using the distributed mass and stiffness matrix based finite element modelling. Multiple damages are introduced in the above cantilever beam even with two, three and four member damage combinations. The results does not provide a concrete solution on the damage element location prediction. Further, in the computational part, the distributed computing technique using element-to-element matrix multiplications is applied. The Roving technique is also applied, which acts as a counter for self-automation. The proposed approach provides a better damage element location prediction even for the multiple damaged member combinations. The roving technique means an element scanning technique, which works with a computer clock speed. The novelty of the approach is that the method is simple and it could be applied to other structures. While scanning as automation no element is left out. Another beauty of the method is that no prior damage elements are assumed as many statistical based approaches assumed in prior. This approach could be a better way to the automation process, for the system identification and machine learning tools.