a is to quantify the vibration signals obtained from the computer modeled structure and then perform a mutual information analysis on the signals to obtain a baseline of nonlinear values alternatively the second step 45 b is to quantify the actual historical data from the physical structure and then perform a mutual information analysis on the signals to obtain a baseline of nonlinear values the baseline serves the purpose of establishing a threshold for comparison for example when measured quantified vibration signals are obtained from sensors disposed over similar structures or the same structure and the quantified vibration signals are compared to and exceed the baseline then it is an indication that there are faults in the similar structures or the same structure the third step in the flow chart 50 is to obtain experimental time series data of vibration signals from an array of strain sensors 15 deployed on a similar structure or the same structure for the purpose of detecting any material faults in the similar structure or the same structure the fourth step in the flow chart 55 requires a preliminary mutual information analysis be performed on the experimental time series data to determine whether the data has linear or nonlinear characteristics the degree that data has linear or nonlinear characteristics requires a general and not specific determination because.