Abstract:Based on wavelet transform of spatially distributed signal,a new damage detection method is put forward. The rationale of this method is that damage of rock materials will cause perturbations of measured structural signal at damage sites. Although the exact location of damage can not be specified directly by the raw measured signals,it becomes discernible from component wavelets of the signals. The viability of this new technique is demonstrated with a test,in which the cylindrical samples made from cement and sand are examined by sound wave emission,and the amplitudes of head wave at different sites along the axis of cylindrical samples can be obtained. Then wavelet transforms are performed on the measured data. The sites of damage correspond to the sites at which great fluctuation occurs in the curve of wavelet coefficient. The results indicate that the presented method is feasible.