Damage assessment of complex structures from transient dynamic response

Damage detection and assessment algorithm using transient dynamic response is developed for complex structures. A parametric system identification method is implemented in the algorithm as the main tool to identify a structural system. A nonlinear constrained optimization problem is solved for estimating optimal structural parameters. To localize damaged members, the adaptive parameter grouping scheme is applied. To assess the severity of damage statistically, the time windowing technique is applied. Main considerations in developing the algorithm are noise and sparsity in the measurements. A simulation study is carried out with a truss structure excited by a harmonic force.