1. Accurate Damping Estimation by Automated OMA Procedures

Systems and techniques for fast damage detection based on vibration analysis are becoming very attractive in different engineering fields. Modal-based damage detection algorithms are well-known techniques for structural health assessment. However, the lack of automated modal identification and tracking procedures has been for long a relevant limit to their extensive use. The development of several automated output-only modal identification procedures in the last few years has led to a renewed interest in modal-based damage detection. However, robustness of automated modal identification algorithms, computational efforts and reliability of modal parameter estimates (in particular, damping) still represent open issues. In this paper, a novel algorithm for automated output-only modal parameter estimation is adopted to obtain reliable and very accurate modal parameter estimates. An extensive validation of the algorithm for continuous monitoring application is carried out based on simulated data. The obtained results point out that the algorithm provides fairly robust, accurate and precise estimates of the modal parameters, including damping ratios. This may potentially lead to a standardized, extensive characterization of modal damping ratios in structures, which is useful to gain knowledge about damping mechanisms in structures and to develop predictive models.