Application of Wavelet Transform to Damage Identification in the Steel Structure Elements

Abstract

This work concerns the concept and verification of the experimental possibility of using a wavelet transform to assess a steel structure’s condition. In the research, a developed measuring stand was used. Mechanical waves in the metal plate were excited by the impact. These waves were recorded with an electroacoustic transducer and registered in the form of electrical signals. Both the signals generated by the actuator of the plate and the signals reaching the transducer were recorded. The registered data were decomposed into wavelet coefficients. Laboratory tests have shown the possibility of applying this type of test to identify damage in steel structural elements—the relationship between the details of the wavelet transform and the type of damage was demonstrated.

Keywords

• wavelet transform
• construction diagnostics
• non-destructive testing
• acoustic emission method