Method and apparatus for creating at least one parameter for algorithmically evaluating damage in a structure

A method for creating at least one input parameter for an algorithmic system to evaluate damage in a structure;

• the method comprising:
• (a) determining a plurality of damage index factors using first signal information and second signal information;
• said first signal information relating to a first signal transmitted through a target area in said structure before said damage is imposed;
• said second signal information relating to a second signal transmitted through said structure in said target area after said damage is imposed substantially in said target area;
• (b) determining a plurality of condensed damage index factors using said plurality of damage index factors;
• (c) correlating selected condensed damage index factors of said plurality of condensed damage index factors with selected measured dimensions relating to said damage to determine a correlation index for selected combinations of said selected condensed damage index factors and said selected dimensions;
• and
• (d) selecting said at least one input parameter from among said selected condensed damage index factors having a correlation index meeting at least one predetermined criterion.

An apparatus for creating at least one input parameter for an algorithmic system to assess damage in a structure;

• the apparatus comprising:
• (a) at least one first signal transmitting unit coupled with said structure;
• (b) at least one first signal receiving unit coupled with said structure;
• said at least one first transmitting unit transmitting at least one first signal traversing said structure from said at least one first transmitting unit to said at least one first receiving unit through a first target area;
• (c) a first data storing unit coupled with at least one selected first signal receiving unit of said at least one first signal receiving unit;
• said first data storing unit storing first signal information relating to said at least one first signal;
• (d) at least one second signal transmitting unit coupled with said structure;
• (e) at least one second signal receiving unit coupled with said structure;
• said at least one second transmitting unit transmitting at least one second signal traversing said structure from said at least one second transmitting unit to said at least one second receiving unit through a second target area;
• (f) a second data storing unit coupled with at least one selected second signal receiving unit of said at least one second signal receiving unit;
• said second data storing unit storing second signal information relating to said at least one second signal after damage has been imposed to said structure;
• at least a portion of said damage being substantially situated within said target area;
• (g) a first processing unit coupled with said first data storing unit and said second data storing unit;
• said first processing unit determining a plurality of damage index factors using said stored first signal information and said stored second signal information;
• (h) a second processing unit coupled with said first processing unit;
• said second processing unit determining a plurality of condensed damage index factors using said plurality of damage index factors;
• (i) a correlating unit coupled with said second processing unit;
• said correlating unit effecting correlation of selected condensed damage index factors of said plurality of condensed damage index factors with selected measured dimensions of said damage to determine a correlation index for selected combinations of said selected condensed damage index factors and said selected measured dimensions;
• and
• (j) a selecting unit coupled with said correlating unit;
• said selecting unit effecting selection of said at least one input parameter from among said selected condensed damage index factors having a correlation index meeting at least one predetermined criterion.