• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.593-615
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• 2011

This study determines the water length effects on the modal behavior of a prototype arch dam using Operational and Analytical Modal Analyses. Achievement of this purpose involves construction of a prototype arch dam-reservoir-foundation model under laboratory conditions. In the model, reservoir length was taken to be as much as three times the dam height. To determine the experimental dynamic characteristics of the arch dam using Operational Modal Analysis, ambient vibration tests were implemented for empty reservoir and three different reservoir water lengths. In the ambient vibration tests, the dam was vibrated by natural excitations provided from small impact effects and the response signals were measured using sensitive accelerometers. Operational Modal Analysis software process signals collected from the ambient vibration tests, and Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition and Stochastic Subspace Identification techniques estimated modal parameters of the dams. To validate the experimental results, 3D finite element model of the prototype arch dam was modeled by ANSYS software for empty reservoir and three different reservoir water lengths, and dynamic characteristics of each model were determined analytically. At the end of the study, experimentally and analytically identified dynamic characteristics compared to each other. Also, changes on the natural frequencies along to water length are plotted as graphs. Results suggest that reservoir water complicates the modal behavior of the arch dam significantly.

• Structural Monitoring and Maintenance
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.191-205
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• 2023

In this paper, through operational modal analysis and ambient vibration tests, the dynamic characteristics of a multi-span simply-supported reinforced concrete highway bridge deck was determined and the results were used to assess the quality of construction of the individual spans. Supporting finite element (FE) models were created and analyzed according to the design drawings. After carrying out the dynamic tests and extracting the modal properties of the deck, the quality of construction was relatively assessed by comparing the results obtained from all the tests from the individual spans and the FE results. A comparison of the test results among the different spans showed a maximum difference value of around 9.3 percent between the superstructure's natural frequencies. These minor differences besides the obtained values of modal damping ratios, in which the differences were not more than 5 percent, can be resulted from suitable performance, health, and acceptable construction quality of the bridge.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.277-294
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• 2012

The aim of the study is to determine the modal parameters of a prototype damaged arch dam by operational modal analysis (OMA) method for some damage scenarios. For this purpose, a prototype arch dam-reservoir-foundation model is constructed under laboratory conditions. Ambient vibration tests on the arch dam model are performed to identify the modal parameters such as natural frequency, mode shape and damping ratio. The tests are conducted for four test-case scenarios: an undamaged dam with empty reservoir, two different damaged dams with empty reservoirs, and a damaged dam with full reservoir. Loading simulating random impact effects is applied on the dam to crack. Cracks and fractures occurred at the middle of the upper part of the dams and distributed through the abutments. Sensitivity accelerometers are placed on the dams' crests to collect signals for measurements. Operational modal analysis software processes the signals collected from the ambient vibration tests, and enhanced frequency domain decomposition and stochastic subspace identification techniques are used to estimate modal parameters of the dams. The modal parameters are obtained to establish a basis for comparison of the results of two techniques for each damage case. Results show that approximately 35-40% difference exists between the natural frequencies obtained from Case 1 and Case 4. The natural frequencies of the dam considerably decrease with increasing cracks. However, observation shows that the filled reservoir slightly affected modal parameters of the dam after severe cracking. The mode shapes obtained are symmetrical and anti-symmetrical. Apparently, mode shapes in Case 1 represent the probable responses of arch dams more accurately. Also, damping ratio show an increase when cracking increases.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.385-403
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• 2015

This paper presents the status improvement of an old damaged deck type rural road steel truss bridge through the modal parametric study after partial retrofitting. The dynamic and static tests on bridge were carried out as in damaged state and after partial retrofitting. The dynamic testing on the steel bridge was carried out using accelerometers under similar environmental conditions with same speed of the moving vehicle. The comparison of the modal parameters i.e., frequency, mode shape mode shape curvature, modal strain energy, along with the deflection parameter are studied with respect to structural analytical model parameters. The status up gradation for the upper and downstream truss obtained was different due to differential level of damage in the bridge. Also after retrofitting the structural elemental behavior obtained was not same as desired. The damage level obtained through static tests carried out using total station indicated further retrofitting requirement.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.803-818
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• 2013

In this study, analytical and experimental modal analyses of a scaled bridge model are carried out to extract the dynamic characteristics such as natural frequency, mode shapes and damping ratios. For this purpose, a scaled bridge model is constructed in laboratory conditions. Three dimensional finite element model of the bridge is constituted and dynamic characteristics are determined, analytically. To identify the dynamic characteristics experimentally; Experimental Modal Analyses (ambient and forced vibration tests) are conducted to the bridge model. In the ambient vibration tests, natural excitations are provided and the response of the bridge model is measured. Sensitivity accelerometers are placed to collect signals from the measurements. The signals collected from the tests are processed by Operational Modal Analysis; and the dynamic characteristics of the bridge model are estimated using Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition and Stochastic Subspace Identification methods. In the forced vibration tests, excitation of the bridge model is induced by an impact hammer and the frequency response functions are obtained. From the finite element analyses, a total of 8 natural frequencies are attained between 28.33 and 313.5 Hz. Considering the first eight mode shapes, these modes can be classified into longitudinal, transverse and vertical modes. It is seen that the dynamic characteristics obtained from the ambient and forced vibration tests are close to each other. It can be stated that the both of Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition and Stochastic Subspace Identification methods are very useful to identify the dynamic characteristics of the bridge model. The first eight natural frequencies are obtained from experimental measurements between 25.00-299.5 Hz. In addition, the dynamic characteristics obtained from the finite element analyses have a good correlation with experimental frequencies and mode shapes. The MAC values obtained between 90-100% and 80-100% using experimental results and experimental-analytical results, respectively.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.11-18
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• 2011

Accurate modal identification analysis is required to reasonably perform a seismic qualification of safety-related electric equipment installed in nuclear power plants (NPPs). This study evaluates a variation of the modal properties of an electric equipment cabinet structure in NPPs according to the excitation levels. For the study, an actual electric equipment cabinet was selected as a specimen and was dynamically tested by using a portable exciter in accordance with the level of input vibration energy. Tests were classified into two sets: with-door cases, and without-door cases. Frequency response functions were computed from the signals of the acceleration responses and input motions measured from the vibration tests. A polynomial curve fitting algorithm was used to extract the modal properties from the frequency response functions. This study reviews the variation of the modal properties according to the variation of the excitation levels. The results of the study show that the modal frequencies and the modal dampings of the object specimen varies nonlinearly according to the excitation level of the test motion. Attaching the door increases the modal damping of the cabinet.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.187-204
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• 2018

The sine sweep base excitation test campaign is a major milestone in the process of mechanical qualification of space structures. The objectives of these vibration tests are to qualify the specimen with respect to the dynamic environment induced by the launcher and to demonstrate that the spacecraft FE model is sufficiently well correlated with the test specimen. Dynamic qualification constraints lead to performing base excitation sine tests using a sine sweep over a prescribed frequency range such that at each frequency the response levels at all accelerometers, load cells and strain gages is the same as the steady state response. However, in practice steady state conditions are not always satisfied. If the sweep rate is too high the response levels will be affected by the presence of transients which in turn will have a direct effect on the estimation of modal parameters. A study funded by ESA and AIRBUS D&S was recently carried out in order to investigate the influence of sine sweep rates in actual test conditions. This paper presents the results of this study along with recommendations concerning the choice of methods.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.263-280
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• 2007

In this paper, an improved GA-based damage detection algorithm using a set of combined modal features is proposed. Firstly, a new GA-based damage detection algorithm is formulated for beam-type structures. A schematic of the GA-based damage detection algorithm is designed and objective functions using several modal features are selected for the algorithm. Secondly, experimental modal tests are performed on free-free beams. Modal features such as natural frequency, mode shape, and modal strain energy are experimentally measured before and after damage in the test beams. Finally, damage detection exercises are performed on the test beam to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed method. Experimental results show that the damage detection is the most accurate when frequency changes combined with modal strain-energy changes are used as the modal features for the proposed method.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.59-82
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• 2011

In this study, an output-only modal identification approach is proposed for decentralized wireless sensor nodes used for linear structural systems. The following approaches are implemented to achieve the objective. Firstly, an output-only modal identification method is selected for decentralized wireless sensor networks. Secondly, the effect of time-unsynchronization is assessed with respect to the accuracy of modal identification analysis. Time-unsynchronized signals are analytically examined to quantify uncertainties and their corresponding errors in modal identification results. Thirdly, a modified approach using complex mode shapes is proposed to reduce the unsynchronization-induced errors in modal identification. In the new way, complex mode shapes are extracted from unsynchronized signals to deal both with modal amplitudes and with phase angles. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed approach is evaluated from numerical and experimental tests by comparing with the performance of existing approach using real mode shapes.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.45-53
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• 2004

In this paper, the stiffness and damping matrix are experimentally constructed using the structural modal information on frequencies, damping ratio and modal vectors, which are obtained by shaking table tests. Free vibration, harmonic and white noise vibration tests are performed. The acceleration of the shaking table was used as the input signal, and the corresponding accelerations of each floor were measured as output signals. The characteristics and limitations of modal information from each test are compared. The results of this study would be a basic resource of the analytical and experimental studies on the system identification of structures.