Introduction to the use of wavelet multiresolution analysis for intelligent structural health monitoring.

This paper suggests the use of wavelet multiresolution analysis (WMRA) as a reliable tool for digital signal processing in structural health monitoring (SHM) systems. A damage occurrence detection algorithm using WMRA augmented with artificial neural networks (ANN) is described. The suggested algorithm allows intelligent monitoring of structures in real time. The probability of damage occurrence is determined by evaluating the wavelet norm index (WNI) representing the energy of a signal describing the change in the system dynamics due to damage. An example application of the proposed algorithm is presented using a finite element simulated structural dynamics of a prestressed concrete bridge. The new algorithm showed very promising results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]