Damage detection at welding joints on heavy ground vehicle structures In this project, new damage

Identification theories and techniques will be developed and tested for the fracture and crack identification on welding joints of mechanical structures, such as frames of coaches and other heavy ground vehicles. Finite element modelling (FEM) and analysis (FEA) of cracked welding frame structures with different crack sizes and locations will be built to study the crack effect on the responses of the welded structure, such as the natural frequency variation and bi-linear phenomenon. The numerical analysis results will lead to new vibration based damage detection method at welding joints with high efficiency. The technique will be realized and tested through experiment studies by using laser sensors and smart material coatings.