Identification of multi-defects in an arched composite structure by the corrected probabilistic diagnostic imaging with the fused damage index

Due to the complicacy of geometry and structure in the arched composite structure, it is difficult to monitor various kinds of defects accurately. The developed damage probabilistic diagnostic imaging approach based on ultrasonic guided wave energy signal characteristics is very feasible for the structural health monitoring in the arched composite structures. However, the conventional probabilistic diagnostic imaging (PDI) approaches united with the signal energy damage indices ( DIs) have some limitations in the identification of the number, location and specific size information of multi-defects. Thus, the damage shape factor from the single damage-impaired path imminently demands to be majorized to raise the precision and stability of PDI approach in the damage recognition. A corrected probabilistic diagnostic imaging (CPDI) approach integrated with the damage shape factor [Formula: see text] needs to be recommended to precisely inspect the expansion of defect zones and different multi-defects in the arched composite structure. The availability and feasibility of the proposed methods has been validated by the experiments in the tested specimen. The results show that the fused frequency-domain energy DIs can be applied to indicate the expansion of defect zones quantitatively. It is proved that the defect identification accuracy of multi-defects from the CPDI approach can be improved by the majorization of damage shape factor, effectively. It is also clearly observed that the number, location and specific size information of different conditions of multi-defects can be distinguished by using the CPDI algorithm, availably.