Structural Damage Detection by Using Modal Data and Wave Propagation

Demand for monitoring systems applied to structures for quality assurance and for evaluating seismic risk is stronger than ever. Here, a monitoring systems to assess structural integrity was developed in which the damage-detection strategy uses two newly developed methods to first identify the damage sites globally (i.e., detect whether the damage occurred or not, and detect the story level) and to then evaluate the damage sites locally. One method identifies the sites and extent of damage globally by using an improved MDLAC (Multiple Damage Location Assurance Criterion) method by using modal data (i.e., frequency and mode shape), and the other identifies the damage sites locally by using wave propagation. Results showed that these two methods are practical and effective in assessing structural integrity of a structure for seismic safety.