An inverse approach for the calculation of flexibility coefficient of open-side cracks in beam type structures

An inverse approach is presented for calculating the flexibility coefficient of open-side cracks in the cross sectional of beams. The cracked cross section is treated as a massless rotational spring which connects two segments of the beam. Based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, the differential equation governing the forced vibration of each segment of the beam is written. By using a mathematical manipulation the time dependent differential equations are transformed into the static substitutes. The crack characteristics are then introduced to the solution of the differential equations via the boundary conditions. By having the time history of transverse response of an arbitrary location along the beam, the flexibility coefficient of crack is calculated. The method is applied for some cracked beams with solid rectangular cross sections and the results obtained are compared with the available data in literature. The comparison indicates that the predictions of the proposed method are in good agreement with the reported data. The procedure is quite general so as to it can be applicable for both single-side crack and double-side crack analogously. Hence, it is also applied for some test beams with double-side cracks.