Application of ETR for diagnosis of damage in steel-concrete composite beams

The paper presents how ETR (energy transfer ratio) changes for a steel-concrete composite beam depending on the degree of damage. A numerical model of composite beam was constructed on the basis of research conducted on a real beam. The study presents how the frequency of natural vibrations, the damping ratio and ETR alter due to changes in the structure of the beam. The performed studies show that ETR is the most sensitive parameter to damage taking place in the beam. Consequently, this parameter can be used to diagnose damage in this kind of beams.