Automatic Design of Fuzzy Rules Using GA for Fault Detection in Cracked Structures

Abstract

Vibration-based inspection is an area of active research. This task is performed by estimating the effects of structural damage on the eigen parameters of structures. The problem of detecting, locating, and quantifying the extent of damage was under study for several decades. In order to investigate the prevailing effects of damage present in the structure under examination, a mathematical model of the damage must be introduced into the model of the structure at the location of the fault. While focusing on transverse vibrations, a simple stiffness reduction of the damaged region was used. In the present work the vibration parameters (relative first three natural frequencies) of the cracked structure are treated in a controller. The controller is designed using fuzzy logic & genetic algorithm. Here the fuzzy rules are optimized by using genetic algorithm. Using the controller, the crack locations can be determined.