Perturbation methods for the analysis of the dynamic behavior of damaged plates

This paper presents an analytical method for the analysis of the dynamic behavior of damaged plates. The proposed approach allows the derivation of mode shapes and corresponding curvature modes for plates with various kinds of defects. Damage is modeled as a localized reduction in the plate thickness. Both point and line defects are considered to model notches or line cracks and delaminations in the plate. Small thickness reductions are considered so that the dynamic behavior of the damage plate can be analyzed through perturbations with respect to the undamaged modes. Results are presented to demonstrate the sensitivity of the curvature modes with respect to the considered low damage levels. Also, the curvature modes are used for the estimation of the strain energy of the plate and for the formulation of a damage index which can be used to provide damage location and extent information.