Fe model for the validation of a damage detection method based on guided waves

Guided wave (GW) propagation is one of the most effective damage identification and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) techniques. SHM systems can provide numerous benefits in short and long term with respect to inspection and maintenance/repair operations. Typical GW-SHM system employ a piezoelectric (PZT) sensors network to diagnose the state of health of the component, allowing for a quasi-real time monitoring by comparing datasets recorded in two different states of the structure. In this paper, a novel damage detection and localization method is discussed. With respect to the actual state of the art, the developed algorithm can locate damages inside and outside the area covered by the PZTs. To assess its reliability, Finite Element (FE) analyses on an aluminium panel, equipped with five surface bonded sensors, have been carried out. Different damage positions have been analysed. The algorithm effectively works in all test cases, resulting in an image that highlights only the faulty area.