Damage Detection in Beam and Rod using Wave Propagation Method with Spectral Finite Elements

In this paper, wave propagation method was applied to detect damage of structures. Spectral Finite Element Method (SFEM) was used to analyze wave propagation in structures. Two types of structures i.e. rod and Euler-Bernoulli beam were modelled using spectral elements. The advantage of spectral finite element over conventional Finite Element Method (FEM), in wave propagation problems, is its accuracy and lower computational time. Two examples of rod and Euler-Bernoulli beam with embeded concentrated mass were presented to illustrate the superiority of SFEM to FEM. Finally, a cracked beam was modeled and analyzed using spectral finite elements and the location of the crack was determined using time history response of beam structure.