Study on structural damage location identification by damage indices for cable-stayed bridges

The damage location method by damage locating indices of cable-stayed bridge is presented. The cable-stayed bridge is regarded as a composite structure composed of cables, girders and the pylon on account of its mechanics properties. The generalized modal strain energy index, the displacement grey incidence and the cable tension index are presented for the damage location identification of cable-stayed bridges. The coupling impact of the measurement noise level and damage extent on identification results is systemically studied. Evidence theory is introduced into the damage locating procedure, and the damage location identification method based on multiple damage evidence is established. Then the damage location identification through multiple damage evidence is carried out by means of evidence theory. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are demonstrated by numerical examples.