A Direct Two Response Approach for Updating Analytical Dynamic Models of Structures With Emphasis on Uniqueness

Abstract

An approach, based on utilizing only two sets of structural responses and the enforcement of the conditions for a unique solution, is presented for the updating of Finite Element Models. The responses required can be any two identified normal modes, any two identified complex modes, or two forced harmonic response vectors in the neighborhood of any two natural frequencies of the structure under test. The mass, stiffness, and damping matrices are interactively and simultaneously corrected in a direct noniterative procedure. A uniqueness factor is automatically computed in the procedure to indicate the correctability of the Finite Element Model under consideration. The number of measurement locations is assumed to be less than the number of degrees of freedom of the analytical model. Provisions for completing and smoothing the measured or identified responses are included to reduce the effects of measurement noise and identification error. Preliminary results on simple models are presented in support of the proposed technique.