Probabilistic Neural Network-Based Damage Assessment for Bridge Structures

This paper presents an efficient algorithm for the estimation of damage location and severity in structure using Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN). Artificial neural network has been being used for damage assessment by many researchers, but there are still some barriers that must be overcome to improve its accuracy and efficiency. The major problems with the conventional neural network are the necessity of many training data for neural network learning and ambiguity in the relation of neural network architecture with convergence of solution. In this paper, PNN is used as a pattern classifier to overcome those problems in the conventional neural network. The basic idea of damage assessment algorithm proposed in this paper is that modal characteristics from a damaged structure are compared with the training patterns which represent the damage in specific element to determine how close it is to training patterns in terms of the probability from PNN. The training pattern that gives a maximum probability implies that the element used in producing the training pattern is considered as a damaged one. The proposed damage assessment algorithm using PNN is applied to a 2-span continuous beam model structure to verify the algorithm.

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