Identification and Damage Detection in Structures Subjected to Base Excitation

This paper presents an experimental study of different algorithms for the health monitoring of frame structures subjected to base excitation (e.g. earthquake ground motion). These algorithms use only the acceleration time histories of the input and of the response output and are tested for the identification of the dynamic characteristics of the structure (natural frequencies and damping ratios) and for detecting and quantifying any possible structural damage that occurs in the frame. Three algorithms were considered: (1) a frequency domain decomposition algorithm, (2) a time domain Eigensystem Realization Algorithm together with Observer Kalman Identification algorithm, and (3) a subsequent physical parameter identification algorithm (MLK). Through extensive experimental testing of a four-story steel frame model on a uniaxial shake table, the performance of the various methods as well as the inherent complications of physical instrumentation and testing are explored.