A Review of Thermodynamic Entropy-Based Damage Determination

This paper reviews the state of art for the damage determination based on thermodynamic entropy generation. From the thermodynamic viewpoint, all degradation mechanisms cause entropy generation in the base material. Entropy generation could be used as a unique measure to determining damage state of structures. This approach leads to a practical condition monitoring model that would be considerably useful to describe the causes and effects of damage. For this purpose, thermodynamic parameters are utilized to signify degradation of structural integrity. The possibility of using this model lets us stay away from the costly and time-consuming traditional methods of remaining lifetime determination. Basic motivation of this study is to specify main effective parameter in entropy generation of mechanical degradation process. Accordingly, mechanical degradation mechanisms including fatigue, creep, corrosion and wear are considered. In the primary step basic theoretical concepts in each degradation mechanisms are discussed and afterwards available studies are reviewed. These works based on material in use, study method and analysis type are categorized. Finally, entropy-based reliability analysis is discussed. This study attempted to ready a comprehensive classification about thermodynamic entropy-based damage analysis.