ABSTRACT
When the number of unknown variables in finite element model updating problem increases, the difficulty in finding optimum solution surges, which seriously hinders its use in real complicated structures. Therefore, a new type of damage function named wavelet damage function (WDF) is proposed in this paper, which utilizes the properties of Haar wavelet and wavelet multi-resolution analysis. By eliminating small wave-let coefficients, the number of unknowns can be confined within a narrow range, ensuring a stable and precise updating result. Then the method is implemented on two numerical case studies. The results show that both damage localization and quantification are quite accurate, although limited number of modal parameters are used. At last, a laboratory test of a simply supported beam is set up. The added mass in the middle of the beam is successfully estimated, which further proves the reliability and accuracy of WDF method in real practice.
