Non-destructive damage evaluation of a structure from limited modal parameters

A method to predict structural damage in its location and severity from modal characteristics of the damaged structure is proposed. No a priori knowledge of the modal characteristics of a corresponding baseline structure is required in the proposed formulation. Instead, information on the geometry of the structure which is reflected in its mass and stiffness distribution is needed. From matrix structural analysis, a system of equations is generated which relates the relative change of stiffness of structural members to a load vector generated from modal parameters of the damaged structure. Different solution techniques are suggested to determine the damage from the generated equations. The feasibility of the proposed formulation is demonstrated via a numerical example of a 10-storey building. Further, an error investigation on the error in the damage predictions due to uncertainties in the input data is carried out.