In this study, the improvement of the nonlinear modulation wave technique for the detection of micro-cracks under compression is devised. By analyzing photomicrographs of the cracks with crack width measuring algorithm, a realistic crack model is generated, and a chirp signal is applied to find the resonant frequencies which are used as the excitation frequencies. Experimental tests are conducted to verify the numerical results. The aluminum plate is compressed in the direction normal to the cracks’ lateral surfaces and is excited using piezoelectric patches attached on the surface aluminum plate. The experimental and numerical results show good agreement for various excitation frequencies and different compressions.
