An Inquiry: Effectiveness of the Complex Empirical Mode Decomposition Method, the Hilbert-Huang Transform, and the Fast-Fourier Transform for Analysis of Dynamic Objects

A review of current signal analysis tools show that new techniques are required for an enhanced fidelity or data integrity. Recently, the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) and its inherent property, the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) technique, have been formerly investigated. The technique of Complex EMD (CEMD) was also explored. The scope of this work was to assess the CEMD technique as an innovative analysis tool. Subsequent to this, comparisons between applications of the Hilbert transform (HT) and the Fast-Fourier transform (FFT) were analyzed. MATLAB was implemented to model signal decomposition and the execution of mathematical transforms for generating results. The CEMD technique successfully decomposed the data into its oscillatory modes. After comparative graphical analysis of the HT and FFT, application of the HT provided marginal enhancements of the data modeled previously by the FFT. Altogether, the HHT could not be determined as a helpful analysis tool. Nevertheless, the CEMD technique, an inherent component of the HHT, exhibited a possible improvement as an analysis tool for signal processing data. Further evaluation of the CEMD technique and the HHT is needed for ultimate determination of their usefulness as an analysis tool

Development of a machine learning based methodology for bridge health monitoring

Tesi en modalitat de compendi de publicacionsIn recent years the scientific community has been developing new techniques in structural health monitoring (SHM) to identify the damages in civil structures specially in bridges. The bridge health monitoring (BHM) systems serve to reduce overall life-cycle maintenance costs for bridges, as their main objective is to prevent catastrophic failures and damages. In the BHM using dynamic data, there are several problems related to the post-processing of the vibration signals such as: (i) when the modal-based dynamic features like natural frequencies, modes shape and damping are used, they present a limitation in relation to damage location, since they are based on a global response of the structure; (ii) presence of noise in the measurement of vibration responses; (iii) inadequate use of existing algorithms for damage feature extraction because of neglecting the non-linearity and non-stationarity of the recorded signals; (iv) environmental and operational conditions can also generate false damage detections in bridges; (v) the drawbacks of traditional algorithms for processing large amounts of data obtained from the BHM. This thesis proposes new vibration-based parameters and methods with focus on damage detection, localization and quantification, considering a mixed robust methodology that includes signal processing and machine learning methods to solve the identified problems. The increasing volume of bridge monitoring data makes it interesting to study the ability of advanced tools and systems to extract useful information from dynamic and static variables. In the field of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), powerful algorithms have been developed to face problems where the amount of data is much larger (big data). The possibilities of ML techniques (unsupervised algorithms) were analyzed here in bridges taking into account both operational and environmental conditions. A critical literature review was performed and a deep study of the accuracy and performance of a set of algorithms for detecting damage in three real bridges and one numerical model. In the literature review inherent to the vibration-based damage detection, several state-of-the-art methods have been studied that do not consider the nature of the data and the characteristics of the applied excitation (possible non-linearity, non-stationarity, presence or absence of environmental and/or operational effects) and the noise level of the sensors. Besides, most research uses modal-based damage characteristics that have some limitations. A poor data normalization is performed by the majority of methods and both operational and environmental variability is not properly accounted for. Likewise, the huge amount of data recorded requires automatic procedures with proven capacity to reduce the possibility of false alarms. On the other hand, many investigations have limitations since only numerical or laboratory cases are studied. Therefore, a methodology is proposed by the combination of several algorithms to avoid them. The conclusions show a robust methodology based on ML algorithms capable to detect, localize and quantify damage. It allows the engineers to verify bridges and anticipate significant structural damage when occurs. Moreover, the proposed non-modal parameters show their feasibility as damage features using ambient and forced vibrations. Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) in conjunction with Marginal Hilbert Spectrum and Instantaneous Phase Difference shows a great capability to analyze the nonlinear and nonstationary response signals for damage identification under operational conditions. The proposed strategy combines algorithms for signal processing (ICEEMDAN and HHT) and ML (k-means) to conduct damage detection and localization in bridges by using the traffic-induced vibration data in real-time operation.En los últimos años la comunidad científica ha desarrollado nuevas técnicas en monitoreo de salud estructural (SHM) para identificar los daños en estructuras civiles especialmente en puentes. Los sistemas de monitoreo de puentes (BHM) sirven para reducir los costos generales de mantenimiento del ciclo de vida, ya que su principal objetivo es prevenir daños y fallas catastróficas. En el BHM que utiliza datos dinámicos, existen varios problemas relacionados con el procesamiento posterior de las señales de vibración, tales como: (i) cuando se utilizan características dinámicas modales como frecuencias naturales, formas de modos y amortiguamiento, presentan una limitación en relación con la localización del daño, ya que se basan en una respuesta global de la estructura; (ii) presencia de ruido en la medición de las respuestas de vibración; (iii) uso inadecuado de los algoritmos existentes para la extracción de características de daño debido a la no linealidad y la no estacionariedad de las señales registradas; (iv) las condiciones ambientales y operativas también pueden generar falsas detecciones de daños en los puentes; (v) los inconvenientes de los algoritmos tradicionales para procesar grandes cantidades de datos obtenidos del BHM. Esta tesis propone nuevos parámetros y métodos basados en vibraciones con enfoque en la detección, localización y cuantificación de daños, considerando una metodología robusta que incluye métodos de procesamiento de señales y aprendizaje automático. El creciente volumen de datos de monitoreo de puentes hace que sea interesante estudiar la capacidad de herramientas y sistemas avanzados para extraer información útil de variables dinámicas y estáticas. En el campo del Machine Learning (ML) y la Inteligencia Artificial (IA) se han desarrollado potentes algoritmos para afrontar problemas donde la cantidad de datos es mucho mayor (big data). Aquí se analizaron las posibilidades de las técnicas ML (algoritmos no supervisados) teniendo en cuenta tanto las condiciones operativas como ambientales. Se realizó una revisión crítica de la literatura y se llevó a cabo un estudio profundo de la precisión y el rendimiento de un conjunto de algoritmos para la detección de daños en tres puentes reales y un modelo numérico. En la revisión de literatura se han estudiado varios métodos que no consideran la naturaleza de los datos y las características de la excitación aplicada (posible no linealidad, no estacionariedad, presencia o ausencia de efectos ambientales y/u operativos) y el nivel de ruido de los sensores. Además, la mayoría de las investigaciones utilizan características de daño modales que tienen algunas limitaciones. Estos métodos realizan una normalización deficiente de los datos y no se tiene en cuenta la variabilidad operativa y ambiental. Asimismo, la gran cantidad de datos registrados requiere de procedimientos automáticos para reducir la posibilidad de falsas alarmas. Por otro lado, muchas investigaciones tienen limitaciones ya que solo se estudian casos numéricos o de laboratorio. Por ello, se propone una metodología mediante la combinación de varios algoritmos. Las conclusiones muestran una metodología robusta basada en algoritmos de ML capaces de detectar, localizar y cuantificar daños. Permite a los ingenieros verificar puentes y anticipar daños estructurales. Además, los parámetros no modales propuestos muestran su viabilidad como características de daño utilizando vibraciones ambientales y forzadas. La Transformada de Hilbert-Huang (HHT) junto con el Espectro Marginal de Hilbert y la Diferencia de Fase Instantánea muestran una gran capacidad para analizar las señales de respuesta no lineales y no estacionarias para la identificación de daños en condiciones operativas. La estrategia propuesta combina algoritmos para el procesamiento de señales (ICEEMDAN y HHT) y ML (k-means) para detectar y localizar daños en puentes mediante el uso de datos de vibraciones inducidas por el tráfico en tiempo real.Postprint (published version

The Hilbert-Huang Transform: A Theoretical Framework and Applications to Leak Identification in Pressurized Space Modules

Any manned space mission must provide breathable air to its crew. For this reason, air leaks in spacecraft pose a danger to the mission and any astronauts on board. The purpose of this work is twofold: the first is to address the issue of air pressure loss from leaks in spacecraft. Air leaks present a danger to spacecraft crew, and so a method of finding air leaks when they occur is needed. Most leak detection systems localize the leak in some way. Instead, we address the identification of air leaks in a pressurized space module, we aim to determine the material in which the leak occurs. This is done with methods centered on statistics and machine learning. In addition to these findings, we investigate one of the methods used in the leak identification section, the Hilbert-Huang Transform. This method has seen many demonstrations of its effectiveness, however this method lacks a solid theoretical framework. We make some contributions to the background of the Hilbert-Huang Transform

BEMDEC: An Adaptive and Robust Methodology for Digital Image Feature Extraction

The intriguing study of feature extraction, and edge detection in particular, has, as a result of the increased use of imagery, drawn even more attention not just from the field of computer science but also from a variety of scientific fields. However, various challenges surrounding the formulation of feature extraction operator, particularly of edges, which is capable of satisfying the necessary properties of low probability of error (i.e., failure of marking true edges), accuracy, and consistent response to a single edge, continue to persist. Moreover, it should be pointed out that most of the work in the area of feature extraction has been focused on improving many of the existing approaches rather than devising or adopting new ones. In the image processing subfield, where the needs constantly change, we must equally change the way we think. In this digital world where the use of images, for variety of purposes, continues to increase, researchers, if they are serious about addressing the aforementioned limitations, must be able to think outside the box and step away from the usual in order to overcome these challenges. In this dissertation, we propose an adaptive and robust, yet simple, digital image features detection methodology using bidimensional empirical mode decomposition (BEMD), a sifting process that decomposes a signal into its two-dimensional (2D) bidimensional intrinsic mode functions (BIMFs). The method is further extended to detect corners and curves, and as such, dubbed as BEMDEC, indicating its ability to detect edges, corners and curves. In addition to the application of BEMD, a unique combination of a flexible envelope estimation algorithm, stopping criteria and boundary adjustment made the realization of this multi-feature detector possible. Further application of two morphological operators of binarization and thinning adds to the quality of the operator

Temperature Effects Removal from Non-Stationary Bridge–Vehicle Interaction Signals for ML Damage Detection

The development of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques has rapidly evolved and matured over the past few decades. Advances in sensor technology have facilitated deploying SHM systems for large-scale structures and local NDT of structural members. Although both methods have been successfully applied to identify structural damage in various systems, Environmental and Operational Condition (EOC) variations can influence sensor measurements and mask damage signatures in the structural response. EOCs include environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and wind, as well as operational conditions, such as mass loading, vibration, and boundary conditions. The effect of EOCs can significantly undermine the reliability and robustness of damage assessment technologies and limit their performance. Thus, successful SHM and NDT systems can compensate for changing EOCs. This paper provides a stateof-the-art review of the effects of EOCs on SHM and NDT systems. It presents recent developments in advanced sensing technology, signal processing, and analysis techniques that aim to eliminate the masking effect of EOC variations and increase the damage sensitivity and performance of SHM and NDT systems. The paper concludes with current research challenges, trends, and recommendations for future research directions

Analyzing nonstationary financial time series via hilbert-huang transform (HHT)

An apparatus, computer program product and method of analyzing non-stationary time varying phenomena. A representation of a non-stationary time varying phenomenon is recursively sifted using Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) to extract intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). The representation is filtered to extract intrinsic trends by combining a number of IMFs. The intrinsic trend is inherent in the data and identifies an IMF indicating the variability of the phenomena. The trend also may be used to detrend the data

Analysis of low frequency plasma waves in turbulent magnetosheath: downstream of the Earth's bow shock

The knowledge of the dynamics and characteristics of space plasma during solar-terrestrial coupling has been greatly enriched by process that aids the determination of the instantaneous frequencies which support the non-stationary and non-linear nature of signals. Such plasmas are observed in the magnetosheath in the downstream of bow shock. In this thesis a technique was applied which extracts the various contributing oscillatory modes reflecting the waveforms observed in the space by Cluster spacecraft instruments such as FGM, CIS and EFW, and decompose the frequency of each extracted mode using Instantaneous Frequency method that is based on Simple Hilbert Transform (SHT). This is achieved through the use of Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD). To eliminate the negative frequency of the various extracted modes referred to as intrinsic mode function which appears with Fourier transform, we apply Hilbert transform leading to analytic representation of the signals. This process aids the determination of the instantaneous frequencies of the extracted modes. The combined process of EMD and Hilbert transform is called the Hilbert-Huang transform. The results in this thesis have been based on the improved EMD. To contribute to the understanding of plasma dynamics, the computed instantaneous frequencies are compared with the results obtained from the application of Simple Hilbert Transform. Instantaneous frequencies of overriding waves are easily separated as opposed to the application of just SHT. They offer the advantage of 3-dimensional study of the spatial characteristics of waves. The understanding of the instantaneous wave number has been achieved through the EMD and SHT combination. This provides the results which give the wave vector for a known frequency at a given instant of time. The instantaneous dispersion relation is determined using the knowledge of the instantaneous frequency and wave vector in the satellite frame, the plasma bulk velocity and the spacecraft velocity (found to be negligible compared with the plasma bulk velocity). This is accomplished using a Doppler shift relation. Wave modes identifications have been carried out by considering the proton temperature anisotropies, plasma beta and plasma bulk velocity and instantaneous phase velocity in the satellite frame. We report Alfvén mode close to the bow shock, spreading out to mirror mode which dominates the middle of magnetosheath. The mirror mode then diminishes towards the magnetopause

Data-driven time-frequency analysis of multivariate data

Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) is a data-driven method for the decomposition and time-frequency analysis of real world nonstationary signals. Its main advantages over other time-frequency methods are its locality, data-driven nature, multiresolution-based decomposition, higher time-frequency resolution and its ability to capture oscillation of any type (nonharmonic signals). These properties have made EMD a viable tool for real world nonstationary data analysis. Recent advances in sensor and data acquisition technologies have brought to light new classes of signals containing typically several data channels. Currently, such signals are almost invariably processed channel-wise, which is suboptimal. It is, therefore, imperative to design multivariate extensions of the existing nonlinear and nonstationary analysis algorithms as they are expected to give more insight into the dynamics and the interdependence between multiple channels of such signals. To this end, this thesis presents multivariate extensions of the empirical mode de- composition algorithm and illustrates their advantages with regards to multivariate non- stationary data analysis. Some important properties of such extensions are also explored, including their ability to exhibit wavelet-like dyadic filter bank structures for white Gaussian noise (WGN), and their capacity to align similar oscillatory modes from multiple data channels. Owing to the generality of the proposed methods, an improved multi- variate EMD-based algorithm is introduced which solves some inherent problems in the original EMD algorithm. Finally, to demonstrate the potential of the proposed methods, simulations on the fusion of multiple real world signals (wind, images and inertial body motion data) support the analysis