A Bayesian fusion method for composite damage identification using Lamb wave

This study presents a novel method for composite damage identification using Lamb wave. A probabilistic integration of the elliptical loci method and the RAPID (reconstruction algorithm for probabilistic inspection of defects) in a Bayesian framework is proposed. The proposed method allows for the incorporation of multiple damage sensitive features in a rational manner to improve the reliability and robustness for a given array of sensors. Numerical studies are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method and to compare its accuracy with existing methods. Experimental investigation using a realistic composite plate is made to further validate the proposed method. The influence of damage location and the number of participating sensors on the performance of the proposed method is discussed. Results indicate that the proposed method yields more accurate and reliable results comparing with existing methods.