Condition monitoring of vibrating steel‐reinforced concrete beams through wavelet transforms

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to show that wavelets are mathematical tools capable of separating vibration data into different frequency components, allowing the study of each component with a resolution matched to its specific time scale. Wavelets have advantages over traditional Fourier methods, particularly when a signal contains sharp spikes, discontinuities, and transients.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a brief description of wavelets and shows their application to the analysis of typical transient signals due to vibrations in a steel‐reinforced concrete beam.

Findings

The research clearly shows that it is possible to evaluate modes and components separately by using the wavelet analysis.

Originality/value

The beam analysed can be used as a simple model of other more complicated structures, such as bridges and other high scale civil engineering constructions, where vibration analysis is a key issue for maintenance and failure assessments, thus representing an alternative mathematical tool for condition monitoring.

Citation

Carrión, F.J., Lozano, A. and Castaño, V.M. (2006), "Condition monitoring of vibrating steel‐reinforced concrete beams through wavelet transforms", Structural Survey, Vol. 24 No. 2, pp. 154-162. https://doi.org/10.1108/02630800610666682