Effect of Cracks on the Vibration and Bending Behavior of Steel and Aluminum Bars using Finite Element Analysis

Complex structures can develop cracks and defects over time, which can compromise their long-term performance and safety. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems are essential for detecting and measuring these defects by monitoring the load and deformation of the solid materials. This paper presents a simulation study of the frequency and strength of solid cylindrical bars made of aluminum and steel under different loads and crack conditions. Finite Element Method (FEM) and COMSOL Multiphysics software are used to perform the simulation, and a resonance model is used to analyze the results. The study investigates how cracks affect the frequency and deformation of the bars, and how different materials respond to load and bending. The results show that frequency varies linearly with load, cracks decrease the stiffness and increase the frequency at the crack location, and aluminum bars deform more than steel bars. The paper concludes that steel bars are more resistant to load and bending than aluminum bars for both cracked and uncracked case. Finally, it is found that steel bars are more resistant to load and bending than aluminum bars for both cracked and uncracked case