Structural Integrity Assessment by Using Cross-Correlated Modal Identification

Abstract

Early researches on steel structures integrity were mainly oriented on calculations and conventional experiments. Robust numerical methods of a high accuracy are usually less reliable in estimation of dynamic properties and a true condition of a steel structure. On the other hand, experiments on real structures, being in regular operation, could be very demanding to conduct. Therefore, the implementation and justification of novel methodology in structural integrity analysis is presented here. The main idea is to correlate experimental results with those obtained applying ANSYS software package. Throughout a results cross-correlation and model adjustment the new presentation of the structure is created, involving natural frequency, modal mass, stiffness and damping. By a proper definition of those parameters, and a 3D model of the structure, a preliminary map of measuring points and measuring configuration are set in order to enable structural integrity assessment. Example of application of this procedure is given.