Sensitivity-based Damage detection in deep water risers using modal parameters: numerical study

A main goal of this study is to propose a damage detection technique to detect and localize damages of a top-tensioned riser. In this paper, the top-tensioned finite element (FE) model is considered as an analytical model of the riser, and a vibration-based damage detection method is proposed. The present method consists of a FE model updating and damage index method. In order to accomplish the goal of this study, first, a sensitivity-based FE model updating method using natural frequencies and zero frequencies is introduced. Second, natural frequencies and zero frequencies of the axial mode on the top-tensioned riser are estimated by eigenvalue analysis. Finally, the locations and severities of the damages are estimated from the damage index method. Three numerical examples are considered to verify the performance of the proposed method.