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Procedia Engineering 51 (2013) 703 708

on Engineering
(NUiCONE 2012)

Finite Element Analysis of Double Cracked Beam and its Experimental

Validation
Irshad A Khan*, Dayal R Parhi
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, India

Abstract
The objective of this paper is to estimate the effects of crack depth on natural frequency and mode shape of beam; Cantilever and fixedfixed beam are engaged for analysis. The presence of cracks a severe threat to the performance of structures and it affects the vibration
signatures (Natural frequencies and mode shapes).Here two transverse cracks are deemed on the beam at 200 mm and 600mm from fixed
end of the beam, the depth of cracks are varied from 0.5mm to 3mm at the interval of 0.5mm. Modeling and Numerical simulation is
established using commercially available finite element analysis software package ANSYS. Based on convergence study a higher order 3D, 10-node element having three degrees of freedom at each node, SOLID 187 element is used in analysis. Natural frequency increases
and Mode shape decreases as the crack depth increases. Experiment are also conducted, results of experiment having good co-relation
with results of finite element analysis.

2012The
Published
ElsevierbyLtd.
Selection
and/or
peer-review
under responsibility
of the Institute of Technology Nirma
2013
Authors.by
Published
Elsevier
Ltd. Open
access
under CC BY-NC-ND
license.
University,Ahmedabad.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad.
Keywords: Natural frequency, Mode shape,Crack, Ansys,

1. Introduction
Health monitoring and the analysis of damage in the form of crack in Beam like structures are important not only for
leading safe operation but also retraining system performance. Since long efforts are on their way to find a realistic solution
for crack detection in beam structures in this regard many approaches have so far being taken place. When a structure
suffers from damages, its dynamic properties can change. Crack damage leads to reduction in stiffness also with an inherent
reduction in natural frequency and increase in modal damping. The paper lends a viable relationship between the modal
natural frequency and mode shape at the different crack depth. Since last few decade free vibration analysis has become a
topic of many studies therefore attention is focused on it only.
Damage identification on a composite cantilever beam through vibration analysis using finite element analysis software
package ANSYS is established by Ramanamurthy and Chandrasekaran [1]. Damage Algorithm and Damage index method
used to identify and locate the damage in the composite beam. Modal, Harmonic, and Transient vibration analysis are
established to crack identification.
Continuous wavelet transform is used to identification of crack in beam like structures by analysing the natural frequency
and mode shape of cracked cantilever beam by Rao et al. [2]. Stress intensity factor and strain energy release rates are used
to determined elements of stiffness matrix. Natural frequencies and mode shapes are determined by considering beam as
continuous to the both side of the crack applying boundary conditions to the characteristic equation of vibration. The crack
location can be determined by examining all results.

* Corresponding author. Tel.:+91-8018376761; fax: +91-661-2472926

E-mail address: irshadak85@gmail.com

1877-7058 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.
Selection and peer-review under responsibility of Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad.
doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2013.01.100

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Irshad A Khan and Dayal R Parhi / Procedia Engineering 51 (2013) 703 708

Crack localization and sizing in a beam from the free and forced response measurements method is suggested by
Karthikeyan et al. [3]. The Timoshenko beam theory is used for modelling transverse vibrations. FEM is used for the free
and forced vibration analysis of the cracked beam and open transverse crack is selected for the crack model. The iteration
starts with an initial guess for the crack depth ratio and b guesses the crack location and the crack depth until getting the
desired convergence for both the crack location and the crack depth.
Two Damage identification algorithms are established for assessment of damage using modal test data by Hu et al. [4].
Which are similar in concept to the subspace rotation algorithm or best feasible modal analysis method. Moreover, a
quadratic programming model is set up the two methodologies to damage assessments.
Salawu [6] has reviewed various methods of damage identification using natural frequencies. The relationship between
frequency change and structural damage and vibration monitoring to damage detection are discussed.
Pandey et al. [7] is examined a new parameter entitled curvature mode shape, this parameter is used to damage
identification in the structures. The change in curvature mode shapes are identifying in region of damage and it can be used
to identify damage in structures.
2. Finite Element Analysis

L2

L1

P1
H

P2

L
Fig. 1 Geometry Cantilever beam with multiple cracks

The finite element analysis is brought out for the cracked beams (Cantilever, Fixed-Fixed) to locate the mode shape of
transverse vibration at different crack depth. The cracked beams of the current research have the following dimensions.
Length of the Beam (L) = 800mm, Width of the beam (W) = 38mm, Height of the Beam (H) = 6mm
Relative crack depth = Varies from 0.5mm to 3mm, Relative crack location = at 300mm and 600mm from fixed end
Properties for material in analysis:
=0.35, Density= =2.7gm/cc
The general purpose finite element software ANSYS is used to the finite element analysis in the frequency domain and
obtain natural frequencies, and mode shapes.
A higher order 3-D, 10-node element having three degrees of freedom at each node: translations in the nodal x, y, and z
directions (Specified as SOLID187 in ANSYS) was selected based on convergence study and used throughout the analysis.
Each node has three degrees of freedom, making a total thirty degrees of freedom per element. The Figure (2) represents the
detail and Geometry of element SOLID187 and the figure (3) represents First Mode Shape (Cantilever Beam) at Crack
depth 1.5mm.

Fig. 2 SOLID187, Element

Fig. 3 First Mode Shape (Fixed-fixed Beam) at Crack depth 3 mm

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Irshad A Khan and Dayal R Parhi / Procedia Engineering 51 (2013) 703 708

Figure (4) represent First Mode Shape at crack depth 3 mm and figure (5) represent Second Mode Shape at crack depth 1.5
mm of Cantilever Beam.

Fig. 4 First Mode Shape (Cantilever Beam) at Crack depth 3 mm

Fig. 5 Second Mode Shape (Cantilever Beam) at Crack depth 1.5mm

3. Experimental Investigation
To validate the Finite element analysis result, an experiment on aluminum beam has been performed. Aluminum cantilever
beam and fixed-fixed beam of length 800 mm and cross-section 38 x 6 mm2 was clamped at a vibrating table. Before the
experimental study the beams surface has been cleaned and organized for straightness. Subsequently, transverse cracks are
created with the help of EDM, which varies from 0.5mm to 3mm at the interval of 0.5 mm.
During the experiment the cracked and undamaged beams have been vibrated at their 1 st, 2nd and 3rd mode of vibration by
using an exciter and a function generator. The vibrations characteristics such as natural frequencies and mode shape of the
beams correspond to 1st, 2nd and 3rd mode of vibration have been recorded by placing the accelerometer along the length of
the beams and displayed on the vibration indicator. The surface specimens were cut with EDM wire cut machine to ensure
high accuracy of cracked model. The experimental results are in close justification with Finite Element Analysis results.
Figure (4) represents schematic block diagram of experimental set-up and figure (5) represents view of the experimental setup.
3

1
8

Fig. 6 Schematic block diagram of experimental set-up

1. Data acquisition (Accelerometer), 2. Vibration analyser, 3. Vibration indicator embedded with software (Pulse Labshop)
4. Power Distribution, 5. Function generator, 6. Power amplifier, 7. Vibration exciter, 8. Cracked Cantilever beam

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4. Results
The variations of frequencies and mode shapes with crack depth for cantilever and fixed-fixed beam for three different
modes is plotted in figures 7-18. And it was observed that in all the cases the modal natural frequencies decrease and mode
shape increase with increase in crack depth.

Fig. 7 First Mode Nature Frequency versus Crack depth

(Cantilever Beam)

Fig. 9 Third Mode Nature Frequency versus Crack depth

(Cantilever Beam)

Fig. 11 Second Mode Nature Frequency versus Crack depth

(Fixed-Fixed Beam)

Fig. 8 Second Mode Nature Frequency versus Crack depth

(Cantilever Beam)

Fig. 10 First Mode Nature Frequency versus Crack depth

(Fixed-Fixed Beam)

Fig. 12 Third Mode Nature Frequency versus Crack depth

(Fixed-Fixed Beam)

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Fig. 13 First Mode Shape versus Crack depth

(Cantilever Beam)

Fig. 14 Second Mode Shape versus Crack depth

(Cantilever Beam)

1st Mode Shape (mm)

74.5

FEA
Experimental

74
73.5
73

72.5
72
71.5
71
0.5

Fig. 15 Third Mode Shape versus Crack depth

(Cantilever Beam)

Fig. 17 Second Mode Shape versus Crack depth

(Fixed-Fixed Beam)

1.5
2
2.5
Crack Depth (mm)

Fig. 16 First Mode Shape versus Crack depth

(Fixed-Fixed Beam)

Fig. 18 Third Mode Shape versus Crack depth

(Fixed-Fixed Beam)

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5. Conclusions
The transverse cracks a severe threat to the performance of the structures. It reduces the stiffness of the structures which
lead to upset the vibration signatures (Natural frequency and Mode Shape). The present paper ensures to estimate the effects
of crack depth on vibration signatures. A finite element analysis and experimental demonstration have been done. It is seen
that natural frequencies increase and Mode shapes decrease as the crack depth increases. Experiment and finite results are in
good agreement.
References
[1] Ramanamurthy, E.V.V., Chandrasekaran, K., 2012. Vibration Analysis on a Composite Beam to Identify Damage and Damage Severity using Finite
Element Method, International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology 3, p. 5865.
[2] Rao, D.Srinivasa., Rao, K.Mallikarjuna., Raju, G.V., 2010. Crack Identification on a beam by Vibration Measurement and Wavelet Analysis,
International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology 2(5), p. 907.
[3] Karthikeyana, M., Tiwaria, R., Talukdar, S., 2007. Crack localisation and sizing in a beam based on the free and forced response measurements,
Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing 21 p. 1362.
[4] Hu, N., Wang, X., Fukunaga, H., Yao, Z.H., Zhang, H.X., Wu, Z.S., 2001. Damage Assessment of structures using test data, International Journal of
solids and structures 38, p. 3111.
[5] Rizos, P.F., Aspragathos, N., 1990. Identification of Crack Location and Magnitude in a Cantilever Beam from the Vibration Modes, Journal of Sound
and Vibration 138(3), p. 138.
[6] Ratcliffe, Colin P., 2000, A Frequency and Curvature Based Experimental Method for Locating Damage in Structures, Journal of Vibration and
Acoustics 122, p. 324.
[7] Salawu, O.S., 1997. Detection of Structural Damage thought Changes in frequency: A review, Journal of Engineering Structures 19(9), p. 718.
[8] Pandey, A. K., Biswas, M., Samman, M.M., 1990. Damage Detection from changes in curvature Mode Shapes, Journal of Sound and Vibration 145(2),
p. 321.