Free vibration analysis of multiple open-edge cracked beams by component mode synthesis

This study is an investigation of the effect of cracks on the dynamical characteristics of a cantilever beam, having multiple open-edge transverse cracks. The flexibilities due to crack have been identified for several crack depths and locations. In the study the finite element method and component mode synthesis methods are used. Coupling the components is performed by a flexibility matrix taking into account the interaction forces. Each component is modelled by cantilever beam finite elements with two nodes and three degrees of freedom at each node. The results obtained lead to conclusion that, by using the drop in the natural frequencies and the change in the mode shapes, the presence and nature of cracks in a structure can be detected. There is some counter-evidence, however, that the effects due to multiple cracks may interact to make detection more difficult than for isolated cracks.