Abstract:
For bridge structures, global damage evaluation and structural health monitoring using modal based damage identification methods have dominated recent worldwide research. However, to date there are few works reported on the effectiveness of the methods to evaluate the new conditions after the damaged structures have been repaired. In this paper, a modal based damage identification method for localisation of damage in a timber beam, utilising modal data from before and after damage as well as after repair, is presented based on expenmental resul!s. The method employs modal parameters that monitor changes in modal strain energy of damaged and repaired beams with respect to the undamaged one. Experimental modal analysis is used in the experimental work to acquire the modal parameters required by the method. The study aims to investigate the capability and limitations of the proposed method for identifying locations of damage in damaged and repaired timber structures.
