Crack Growth Signal Processing Approach Combining Wavelet Threshold Denoising and Variable Amplitude DCPD Technique

The direct current potential drop (DCPD) method is widely used in laboratory environments to monitor the crack initiation and propagation of specimens. In this study, an anti-interference signal processing approach, combining wavelet threshold denoising and a variable current amplitude DCPD signal synthesis technique, was proposed. Adaptive wavelet threshold denoising using Stein’s unbiased risk estimate was applied to the main potential drop signal and the reference potential signal under two different current amplitudes to reduce the interference caused by noise. Thereafter, noise-reduced signals were synthesized to eliminate the time-varying thermal electromotive force. The multiplicative interference signal was eliminated by normalizing the main potential drop signal and the reference potential drop signal. This signal processing approach was applied to the crack growth monitoring data of 316 L stainless steel compact tension specimens in a laboratory environment, and the signal processing results of static cracks and propagation cracks under different load conditions were analyzed. The results showed that the proposed approach can significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio as well as the accuracy and resolution of the crack growth measurement.