11/20/2023
By Tzu-Yang Yu

The Francis College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, invites you to attend a Master’s thesis defense by Ritham Batchu on “Damage Localization in a Truss Bridge Model under a Moving Train Load."

Candidate Name: Ritham Batchu
Degree: Master’s
Defense Date: Friday, Dec. 1, 2023
Time: 10 to 11 a.m.
Location: Shah Hall Room 200Y Conference Room
Thesis/Dissertation Title: Damage Localization in a Truss Bridge Model under a Moving Train Load

Committee:

  • Advisor: Professor Tzuyang Yu, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UMass Lowell
  • Associate Professor Arghavan Louhghalam, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UMass Lowell
  • Assistant Professor Jianqiang Wei, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UMass Lowell

Brief Abstract:
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is a technique that involves employing damage detection techniques to assess critical civil infrastructure elements like bridges, wind turbines, buildings, and tunnels. It typically utilizes non-destructive methods and sensors embedded in or attached to structures for data collection and expert evaluation. SHM is vital for ensuring the safety and performance of existing structures. In this research, we investigated the impact of different damage types on a truss bridge model's stiffness and fundamental frequency using a laboratory train model under various conditions, including two train speeds (0.225m/s and 0.350m/s) and two loading levels (1.57kg and 2.07kg). Six force sensors were used; two of 5-N capacity and four of 100-N capacity. Considered damage levels included complete damage (simulated by removing a bridge member), partial damage (simulated by replacing a regular member with a softer one), and minor damage (simulated by using cracked members), with a focus on their location within the bridge model. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and wavelet transform (WT) were used to process measured force response curves. From our result, we experimentally demonstrated that both bridge stiffness and bridge fundamental frequency are affected by damage location and damage level. These findings were developed to better help understand the relation between bridge stiffness and its fundamental frequencies.