Structural damage identification using gravitational search algorithm

This study aims to present a novel optimization algorithm known as gravitational search algorithm (GSA) for structural damage detection. An objective function for damage detection is established based on structural vibration data in frequency domain, i.e., natural frequencies and mode shapes. The feasibility and efficiency of the GSA are testified on three different structures, i.e., a beam, a truss and a plate. Results show that the proposed strategy is efficient for determining the locations and the extents of structural damages using the first several modal data of the structure. Multiple damages cases in different types of structures are studied and good identification results can be obtained. The effect of measurement noise on the identification results is investigated.