A model updating approach based on design points for unknown structural parameters

Finite element analysis has become an essential tool to estimate structural responses under static and dynamic loads. However, there are a lot of uncertainties in structural properties. For this reason, in many cases, the outcomes of the theoretical and experimental modal analyses do not match. Therefore, the analytical models of the structures need to be updated according to the experimental test results. The commonly used method to get parameters for model updating is experimental modal analysis which provides structural dynamic characteristic (natural frequencies, mode shapes and modal damping ratio). There are many methods available for the updating process. This study addresses an updating algorithm to modify the numerical models by using the design points for unknown structural properties. The proposed method aims to minimize the difference between the analytical and experimental natural frequencies by updating uncertain parameters for each mode and combine them to get an optimum solution. The algorithm is tested on a column and a 2D frame models. These models are investigated by taking the connection rigidity and elasticity modulus as unknown parameters. It is observed that the proposed algorithm gives better results for unknown structural properties compared to the initial values.