Damage detection in structures using particle swarm optimization method

Abstract

The present study focuses on identifying the damage and finding the location and extent of damage in a structure through the use of particle swarm optimization. The proposed technique assesses the damage through static nodal displacements of the damaged structure. The presence of damage is confirmed through sensor readings on selected nodes where sensors are placed. The objective function is defined as summation of the square of difference of actual nodal displacements in the damaged state and the simulated nodal displacement with the damage parameters. The objective function is minimized by particle swarm optimization. The proposed method of structural damage detection was tested on a 25-bar space truss with different damage scenarios. The extensive study of the proposed method with different cases gives reliable results with significant accuracy.