Crack Detection in Structures Using Bees Algorithm

In this paper, the application of bees algorithm (BA) in crack detection of beam type structures is investigated. BA is an optimization algorithm inspired by the natural foraging behavior of honeybees to find food sources.The method is capable of finding the global optimum of an objective function amongst several local optima. To demonstrate the robustness of the proposed method, an experimental study is designed to predict cracks in cantilever beams. The experimental study concerns with the prediction of open edge-cracks of different sizes and locations introduced artificially in test cantilever beams. The crack is modeled as a torsional spring, whose stiffness is a function of crack size. Weighted sum ofthe natural frequencies were used as the objective function. Then, BA is applied to search the size and location of the crack based on the experimental natural frequencies of the cracked beams. The results show that both the size and location of the crack can be confidently predicted through this method proving the fact that BA could be a good candidate for the crack detection of structures because of its robustness, simplicity, and accuracy.

کلیدواژه ها:

Crack Detection ، Bees Algorithm ، NaturalFrequency