Abstract
The strain energy damage index (SEDI) and a nominally similar parameter called SEDI2 are reported to be insensitive to the magnitude of the underlying damage in beams, although they do help to locate the damage itself. A new damage-sensitive parameter, the modal moment index (MMI), is introduced. It is shown that the MMI also ‘jumps’ at the location of damage in the beam. In addition, it is established that the magnitude of the MMI is closely related to the decrease in relative modulus. It is concluded hence that the MMI seems to be a damage-sensitive parameter with potential for application in experimental modal analysis.