Experimental Modal Analysis and Crack Detection in Cantilever Beams Using Impact Hammer Testing and Finite Element Simulation

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic experimental investigation and finite element simulation of modal analysis and vibration-based crack detection in cantilever steel beams. Impact hammer testing with a piezoelectric force transducer and accelerometer was employed to extract natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios for intact beams and beams with transverse cracks of progressive depths at multiple locations. A total of 54 beam configurations were tested. The experimental natural frequencies showed excellent agreement with ANSYS Finite Element Analysis (FEA) results, with a maximum discrepancy of 2.1 percent. Results confirm that crack-induced natural frequency shifts and amplified damping ratios provide reliable indicators for structural health monitoring (SHM). Crack depth-to-height ratios as small as 0.1 were detectable through frequency shifts, demonstrating the high sensitivity of the proposed method. A regression model correlating crack depth and location to natural frequency degradation was developed with a coefficient of determination R² greater than 0.96.

Cite as:

Pranesh Bamankar. (2026). Experimental Modal Analysis and Crack Detection in Cantilever Beams Using Impact Hammer Testing and Finite Element Simulation. Research and Reviews on Experimental and Applied Mechanics, 9(1), 31–35. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19564433