Fuzzy logic for crack detection in cantilever-laminated composite beam using frequency response

The current research study utilized fuzzy logic to detect transverse cracks in industry-driven woven glass fiber/epoxy composite beam. Laminated composites, with their increasing prevalence in engineering applications, demand reliable methods for detecting structural defects such as cracks. Traditional crack detection approaches often face challenges to accommodate the inherent complexities of composite materials. The motivation behind employing fuzzy logic for crack detection in cantilever-laminated composite beams using frequency response stems from the imperative need for robust and adaptive structural health monitoring techniques. Considering a cantilever boundary condition for the glass/epoxy beam, the free vibration frequencies were numerically evaluated on ABAQUS platform. The frequency data were simulated as input data in a Mamdani fuzzy inference system (FIS) developed in MATLAB, using various standalone fuzzy sets (Triangular, Trapezoidal, Gaussian and Gbell). The output of the FIS scale results to determine the crack severity in terms of location and depth. Using a fast Fourier transform analyzer, experimental validation is conducted for cantilever composite beams with controlled damage scenarios to assess the effectiveness and accuracy of the developed fuzzy logic-based crack detection methodology. The results showcase the system’s potential to provide crack detection in composite structures, contributing to the advancement of structural health monitoring techniques. The integration of fuzzy logic in crack detection presents a promising avenue for enhancing the reliability of damage assessment in composite materials, offering valuable insights for the broader field of structural health monitoring.