Image-Based Hidden Damage Detection Method: Combining Stereo Digital Image Correlation and Finite Element Model...

Area of Science:

• Structural Engineering
• Non-Destructive Testing
• Computational Mechanics

Background:

• Structural integrity and maintenance are critical for safety and longevity.
• Traditional inspection methods struggle to detect subsurface damage.
• Advanced techniques are needed to overcome limitations of surface-only analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an image-based method for detecting internal structural damage.
• To overcome the limitations of traditional surface-analysis inspection techniques.
• To reconstruct structural models for accurate hidden damage assessment.

Main Methods:

• Combining full-field surface response with finite element model updating.
• Utilizing numerical experiments to generate and validate damage scenarios.
• Employing stereoscopic digital imaging for full-field surface data acquisition.

Main Results:

• The finite element model updating method achieved 90% accuracy in detecting known hidden damage in numerical experiments.
• The proposed method successfully reconstructed various complex damage forms.
• Real-world application using stereoscopic imaging achieved 86% accuracy in detecting hidden structural damage.

Conclusions:

• The proposed image-based method effectively detects and assesses internal structural damage.
• Finite element model updating is a viable approach for analyzing hidden flaws.
• The technique enhances structural health monitoring and maintenance strategies.