Identification of Delamination in Composite Beams by Genetic Algorithm

This paper presents results on the identification of delamination in composite beams via genetic search technique and changes in natural frequencies. Location and size of the delamination are carried out by minimisation of an error function involving the difference between calculated and "measured" natural frequencies. Simulation studies indicate that changes in natural frequencies and genetic algorithm allow the fast and accurate estimation of delamination parameters (location and size). The advantages and limitations of the present technique are also discussed.