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• The periodic characteristics of orthogonal grid stiffened panels are studied. • The influence of defects on transmission coefficients is utilized to choose excitation frequency for damage detection. • The proposed baseline-free method accurately detects multiple damage of different types. • The method is numerically and experimentally verified. Orthogonal grid stiffened panels are very useful structures widely utilized in many engineering applications. The nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E) methods for these structures are still limited due to the complex vibration modes induced by stiffeners distributed in two periodic directions. A novel method based on defect modes to localize multiple damage in orthogonal grid stiffened panels is proposed in this research. Instead of utilizing defect modes in periodic structures to control vibration or wave propagation, it is proposed to analyze the influence of defects on the dynamic response properties of orthogonal grid stiffened panels. The damage-related modes can then be used to identify multiple damage. The method is successfully verified both numerically and experimentally and shows great potential for broad engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]