In this work the notion of a crack detection filter is introduced and algorithms for the design of such filters presented. The concept is based on the design of observers that sensitive or insensitive to the presence of a crack in a structure. It arises from an application of fault detection filters to structures with cracks and is a novel and new concept. The feasibility of designing crack detection filters for structural health monitoring applications is then demonstrated.
In this work a method of monitoring structures using a suite of Kalman filters is also being developed for a variety of aerospace structures such as engine nacelles. Another approach being pursued is based on the parity space concept. The proposed health monitoring methods are validated by applying them to a typical bench mark problem involving a structural panel in a fluid flow. Other applications are to automotive and large civil engineering structures (dams, bridges using SATNAV sensors).
Related Publication: i) Dynamics of Smart Structures", John Wiley, and is in print. ISBN: 978-0-470-69705-4 ( Wiley::Dynamics of Smart Structures, 2010)
ii) Vepa, R., Design of observer based crack detection filters and their application to crack detection and isolation, to be presented at the 9th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring, September 10-12, 2013, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.