Strutural Health Monitoring Based on Nonlinear System Identification
Résumé
In classical nonlinear resonance experiments, we generally use of a gain/phase analyzer to excite and display the materials Frequency Response Function FRF. However, the latter response is obtained using a tracking filter around the fundamental excitation frequency. In that case, the obtained information is generally a combination of the desired response and a contribution of a power series of harmonics responses. Moreover, the filtering procedure prevents from having higher harmonics responses whose knowledge is important in nonlinear damage characterization. In this contribution we propose a nonlinear system identification method based on an exponential swept-sine drive signal. The recorded response of the material under test is convolved with an inverse filter to obtain the nonlinear responses corresponding to the harmonics usually eliminated by the gain/phase analyzer filtering system. Therefore, a single swept-sine experiment allows to estimate higher harmonics responses (amplitude and phase) depending on the nonlinear behaviour of the material. The first measurements performed on a damaged polymer-based composite reveal that higher harmonics, generally neglected in nonlinear damage characterization because of the tracking filter, are very sensitive to damage and hence deserve more attention than usual. As the sensors stand by the structure this method could be used advantageously in Structural Health Monitoring.