Damage identification using singular value feature of continuous wavelet coefficients

A hybrid soft computing approach is developed with the aim of identifying multiple damage in beam-type structures. This approach is formulated based on integration of two renowned soft computing methods: a wavelet transform and a singular value decomposition. The integration features the creation of a sophisticated damage indicator: mode shape’ continuous wavelet transform-singular value decomposition component (MWSC).The MWSC has inherent capabilities of immunity to noise and sensitivity to multiple damage of beam-like structures. The effectiveness of the MWSC is numerically verified by identifying multiple cracks in cantilever beams, with particular emphasis on its ability of locating multiple damages in noisy environments.