We present an overview of research developments related to the nonlinear vibroacoustic modulation technique used for structural damage detection. The method of interest is based on nonlinear interactions of a low-frequency pumping wave and a high-frequency probing wave. These two waves are introduced to monitored structures simultaneously. Then the presence of damage is exhibited by additional frequency components that result from nonlinear damage-wave interactions. A vast amount of research has been performed in this area over the last two decades. We aim to present the state-of-the-art of these developments. The major focus is on monitoring approaches, modeling aspects, actuation/sensing, signal processing, and application examples.

This paper was accepted for publication in the journal Journal of Sound and Vibration and the definitive published version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2016.06.025.Classical nonlinear vibration methods used for structural damage detection are often\ud based on higher- and sub-harmonic generation. However, nonlinearities arising from sources other than damage – e.g. boundary conditions or a measurement chain – are a primary concern in these methods. This paper focuses on localisation of damage-related nonlinearities based on higher harmonic generation. Numerical and experimental investigations in longitudinal vibration of beams with breathing cracks are presented. Numerical modelling is performed using a two-dimensional finite element approach. Different crack depths, locations and boundary conditions are investigated. The results demonstrate that nonlinearities in cracked beams are particularly strong in the vicinity of damage, allowing not only for damage localisation but also for separation of crack induced nonlinearity from other sources of nonlinearities

The paper investigates modelling aspects related to application of vibrothermography for detection of barely visible impact damage in composite structures. Low-velocity impact tests were performed to introduce multiple delaminations into carbon/epoxy composite plate. Damage severity was revealed using well-established non-destructive evaluation techniques. Vibrothermography was used subsequently to show good agreement with classical damage detection techniques. Following these experimental investigations, numerical simulations were performed to assess feasibility and sensitivity of vibrothermography for impact damage detection. Numerical results were validated using experimental data showing very good qualitative and encouraging quantitative agreement. The study demonstrates that virtual impact damage detection using vibrothermography can be performed as part of structural design to assess sensitivity of the method in real engineering applications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.