Lessons learned from applications of vibration-based damage identification methods to a large bridge structure

Over the past 30 years detecting damage in a structure from changes in dynamic parameters has received considerable attention from the aerospace, civil, and mechanical engineering communities. The general idea is that changes in the structure`s physical properties (i.e., stiffness, mass, and/or damping) will, in turn, alter the dynamic characteristics (i.e., resonant frequencies, modal damping, and mode shapes) of the structure. Properties such as the flexibility matrix, stiffness matrix, and mode shape curvature, which are obtained from modal parameters, have shown promise for locating structural damage. However, the application of these techniques to large civil engineering structures is limited because of the inability to find structures that the owners will allow to be damaged. Also, the cost associated with testing these structures can be prohibitive. In this paper, the authors` experiences with performing modal tests on a large highway bridge, in its undamaged and damaged state, for the purpose of damage identification will be summarized. Particular emphasis will be made on the lessons learned from this experience and the lessons learned from recent tests on another bridge structure

Computation of structural flexibility for bridge health monitoring using ambient modal data

Issues surrounding the use of ambient vibration modes for the location of structural damage via dynamically measured flexibility are examined. Several methods for obtaining the required mass- normalized dynamic mode shapes from ambient modal data are implemented and compared. The method are applied to data from a series of ambient modal tests on an actual highway bridge. Results indicate that for the damage case examined, the flexibility from the ambient mode shapes gave a better indication of damage than the flexibility from the forced-vibration mode shapes. This improved performance is attributed to the higher excitation load levels that occur during the ambient test

A Validation of Bayesian Finite Element Model Updating for Linear Dynamics

This work addresses the issue of statistical model updating and correlation. The updating procedure is formulated to improve the predictive quality of a structural model by minimizing out-of-balance modal forces. It is shown how measurement and modeling uncertainties can be taken into account to provide not only the correlated model but also the associated confidence levels. Hence, a Bayesian parameter estimation technique is derived and its numerical implementation is discussed. Two demonstration examples that involve test-analysis correlation with real test data are presented. First, the validation of an engine cradle model used in the automotive industry shows how the design's uncertainties can be reduced via model updating. The second example consists of employing test-analysis correlation for identifying the degree of nonlinearity of the LANL 8-DOF testbed

Effects of measurement statistics on the detection of damage in the Alamosa Canyon Bridge

This paper presents a comparison of the statistics on the measured model parameters of a bridge structure to the expected changes in those parameters caused by damage. It is then determined if the changes resulting from damage are statistically significant. This paper considers the most commonly used modal parameters for indication of damage: modal frequency, mode shape, and mode shape curvature. The approach is divided into two steps. First, the relative uncertainties (arising from random error sources) of the measured modal frequencies, mode shapes, and mode shape curvatures are determined by Monte Carlo analysis of the measured data. Based on these uncertainties, 95% statistical confidence bounds are computed for these parameters. The second step is the determination of the measured change in these parameters resulting from structural damage. Changes which are outside the 95% bounds are considered to be statistically significant. It is proposed that this statistical significance can be used to selectively filter which modes are used for damage identification. The primary conclusion of the paper is that the selection of the appropriate parameters to use in the damage identification algorithm must take into account not only the sensitivity of the damage indicator to the structural deterioration, but also the uncertainty inherent in the measurement of the parameters used to compute the indicator

DIAMOND: A graphical interface toolbox for comparative modal analysis and damage identification

This paper introduces a new toolbox of graphical-interface software algorithms for the numerical simulation of vibration tests, analysis of modal data, finite element model correlation, and the comparison of both linear and nonlinear damage identification techniques. This toolbox is unique because it contains several different vibration-based damage identification algorithms, categorized as those which use only measured response and sensor location information (non-model-based techniques) and those which use finite element model correlation (model-based techniques). Another unique feature of this toolbox is the wide range of algorithms for experimental modal analysis. The toolbox also contains a unique capability that utilizes the measured coherence functions and Monte Carlo analysis to perform statistical uncertainty analysis on the modal parameters and damage identification results. This paper contains a detailed description of the various modal analysis, damage identification, and model correlation capabilities of toolbox, and also shows a sample application which uses the toolbox to analyze the statistical uncertainties on the results of a series of modal tests performed on a highway bridge

Variability of modal parameters measured on the Alamosa Canyon Bridge

A significant amount of work has been reported in technical literature regarding the use of changes in modal parameters to identify the location and extent of damage in structures. Curiously absent, and critically important to the practical implementation of this work, is an accurate characterization of the natural variability of these modal parameters caused by effects other than damage. To examine this issue, a two-lane, seven-span, composite slab-on-girder bridge near the town of Truth or Consequences in southern New Mexico was tested several times over a period of nine months. Environmental effects common to this location that could potentially produce changes in the measured modal properties include changes in temperature, high winds, and changes to the supporting soil medium. In addition to environmental effects, variabilities in modal testing procedures and data reduction can also cause changes in the identified dynamic properties of the structure. In this paper the natural variability of the frequencies and mode shapes of the Alamosa Canyon bridge that result from changes in time of day when the test was performed, amount of traffic, and environmental conditions will be discussed. Because this bridge has not been in active use throughout the testing period, it is assumed that any change in the observed modal properties are the result of the factors listed above rather than deterioration of the structure itself

Vibration-based Health Monitoring of Earth Structures

Vibration-based health monitoring (VBHM) has successfully been used to assess the structural damage to bridges, buildings, aircraft, and rotating machinery. There is significant incentive to apply VBHM techniques to the damage detection and conditional assessment of earth structures (geostructures), e.g., foundations, dams, embankments, and tunnels, to improve design, construction, and performance. An experimental program was carried out to explore the efficacy of VBHM of earth structures. A vibratory roller compactor, instrumented with triaxial accelerometers to continuously measure drum and frame vibrations, was operated on a number of underlying material structures with varying properties. Time-domain and frequency-domain analyses of the coupled machine/earth structure response were performed to glean machine vibration features that reflect changes in underlying structural properties. Results illustrate that drum and frame acceleration amplitudes were fairly insensitive to changes in underlying media stiffness; however, drum acceleration frequency components (harmonics) were found to be sensitive to changes in underlying media and changes in soil properties during compaction. The strata underlying the soil undergoing compaction was found to strongly affect drum vibration characteristics.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

A Novel Methodology Using Simplified Approaches for Identification of Cracks in Beams

Abstract In this paper, natural frequency based forward and inverse methods are proposed for identifying multiple cracks in beams. Forward methods include simplified definition of the natural frequency drops caused by the cracks. The ratios between natural frequencies obtained from multi-cracked and un-cracked beams are determined by an approach that uses the local flexibility model of cracks. This approach does not consider nonlinear crack effects that can be easily neglected when the number of cracks is not excessive. In addition, an expression, which removes the necessity of repeating natural frequency analyses, is given for identifying the connection between the crack depths and natural frequency drops. These simplified approaches play crucial role in solving inverse problem using constituted crack detection methodology. Solution needs a number of measured modal frequency knowledge two times more than the number of cracks to be detected. Efficiencies of the methods are verified using the natural frequency ratios obtained by the finite element package. The crack detection methodology is also validated using some experimental natural frequency ratios given in current literature. Results show that the locations and depths ratios of cracks are successfully predicted by using the methods presented

MODEL VALIDATION AND UNCERTAINTY QUANTIFICATION.

This session offers an open forum to discuss issues and directions of research in the areas of model updating, predictive quality of computer simulations, model validation and uncertainty quantification. Technical presentations review the state-of-the-art in nonlinear dynamics and model validation for structural dynamics. A panel discussion introduces the discussion on technology needs, future trends and challenges ahead with an emphasis placed on soliciting participation of the audience, One of the goals is to show, through invited contributions, how other scientific communities are approaching and solving difficulties similar to those encountered in structural dynamics. The session also serves the purpose of presenting the on-going organization of technical meetings sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and dedicated to health monitoring, damage prognosis, model validation and uncertainty quantification in engineering applications. The session is part of the SD-2000 Forum, a forum to identify research trends, funding opportunities and to discuss the future of structural dynamics