An Interpretable Method for Operational Modal Analysis in Time-Frequency Representation and Its Applications to Railway Sleepers

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is nowadays common in many branches of engineering since it allows to have a continuous or periodic report of the structural conditions and therefore to promptly intervene if there are incipient damages. The first step to perform a SHM is the identification of the dynamic parameters, i.e. natural frequencies, damping ratios and modal shapes, and it is a crucial step since a modification of the structural parameters can be a direct consequence of structural damages. Among the structural identification methods, Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) methods have received increasing attention from the researchers since they do not require the knowledge of the structural excitation that is due to ambient vibrations and that is usually modeled as a white noise. This aspect makes this kind of methods cheaper and simpler than the classical Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA) methods. In this paper an innovative OMA method is proposed. It is a semi - automated method that allows to identify natural frequencies, damping ratios and modal shapes of a structural system and that can be used also from users that have not knowledge in stochastic dynamics and signal analysis. First of all, the modal shapes are estimated through the use of signal filtering techniques applied on the stochastic properties of the output process and then natural frequencies and damping ratios can be estimated from the mono - component analytical signals obtained by performing a decomposition of the analytical signals matrix. The proposed method has been used to perform the dynamic identification of a real historic building situated in Palermo, i.e. Chiaramonte palace, and the results obtained have been compared with those obtained by using other OMA methods.

In order to identify time-varying transient modal parameters only from nonstationary vibration response measurement signals for slow linear time-varying (SLTV) structures which are weakly damped, a moving window differential evolution (DE) independent component analysis- (ICA-) based operational modal analysis (OMA) method is proposed in this paper. Firstly, in order to overcome the problems in traditional ICA-based OMA, such as easy to go into local optima and difficult-to-identify high-order modal parameters, we combine DE with ICA and propose a differential evolution independent component analysis- (DEICA-) based OMA method for linear time invariant (LTI) structures. Secondly, we combine the moving widow technique with DEICA and propose a moving window differential evolution independent component analysis- (MWDEICA-) based OMA method for SLTV structures. The MWDEICA-based OMA method has high global searching ability, robustness, and complexity of time and space. The modal identification results in a three-degree-of-freedom structure with slow time-varying mass show that this MWDEICA-based OMA method can identify transient time-varying modal parameters effectively only from nonstationary vibration response measurement signals and has better performances than moving window traditional ICA-based OMA.

In order to identify the modal parameters of time invariant three-dimensional engineering structures with damping and small nonlinearity, a novel isometric feature mapping (Isomap)-based three-dimensional operational modal analysis (OMA) method is proposed to extract nonlinear features in this paper. Using this Isomap-based OMA method, a low-dimensional embedding matrix is multiplied by a transformation matrix to obtain the original matrix. We find correspondence relationships between the low-dimensional embedding matrix and the modal coordinate response and between the transformation matrix and the modal shapes. From the low-dimensional embedding matrix, the natural frequencies can be determined using a Fourier transform and the damping ratios can be identified by the random decrement technique or natural excitation technique. The modal shapes can be estimated from the Moore–Penrose matrix inverse of the low-dimensional embedding matrix. We also discuss the effects of different parameters (i.e., number of neighbors and matrix assembly) on the results of modal parameter identification. The modal identification results from numerical simulations of the vibration response signals of a cylindrical shell under white noise excitation demonstrate that the proposed method can identify the modal shapes, natural frequencies, and ratios of three-dimensional structures in operational conditions only from the vibration response signals.

SSI-LSTM network for adaptive operational modal analysis of building structures

Conventionally, modal monitoring of Wind Turbine Rotor Blades is primarily based on the evaluation of eigenfrequencies. Beyond this, combining a sensor network with the Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) method, mode shape and parallely a local component are utilized here. In addition it is expected that the damping, which is also determined by the OMA method, will give a lead on damage development at the rotor already at an early stage. Modal monitoring by means of measurement is combined with FEM simulation and with the comparison of results obtained from measurement and simulation. Moreover, this will establish a connection between the engineer and the design data of a rotor blade, which also are based on FEM analyzes. A further significant increase regarding error resolution is possible by combining the global modal methods with locally sensitive monitoring methods, based on guided elastic waves. These assume plate-like structures through which elastic waves propagate in the low-frequency ultrasonic range (10 - 100 kHz) in certain modes. These different wave modes interact distinctively with inner structural damages such as web fractures and delaminations. It is differentiated between piezoelectrically excited waves (acousto ultrasonics), and waves produced by energy released at fractures, delamination etc. (acoustic emission). Applying a moderate number of sensors, the combination of both methods can allow an effective monitoring of the global structure.

Safety assessment of structures for near-field blast-induced ground excitations using operational modal analysis

Operational modal analysis (OMA) is a procedure that allows the modal parameters of a structure to be extracted from the measured response to an unknown excitation generated during operation. Nonlinearity is inevitably and frequently encountered in OMA. The problem: The traditional OMA method based on linear modal theory cannot be applied to a nonlinear oscillation system. The solution: This paper aims to propose a nonlinear OMA method for nonlinear oscillation systems. The new OMA method is based on the following: (1) a self-excitation phenomenon is caused by nonlinear components; (2) the nonlinear normal modes (NNMs) of the system appear under a single-frequency harmonic excitation; and (3) using forced response data, the symbolic regression method (SR) can be used to automatically search for the NNMs of the system, whose modal parameters are implicit in the expression structure expressing each NNM. The simulation result of a three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) nonlinear system verifies the correctness of the proposed OMA method. Then, a disc-rod rotor model is considered, and the proposed OMA method’s capability is further evaluated.

This paper investigates the use of conventional operational modal analysis (OMA) techniques for modal parameters identification of a rotating system supported by roller bearings. Although largely applied in civil engineering, in-depth studies on different types of systems are still limited in the literature. The novel of the paper is to address such issue by applying conventional OMA methods, such as enhanced frequency domain decomposition (EFDD) and stochastic subspace identification (SSI-data), to identify the modal parameters of a rotating machine, investigating the challenging particularities of these systems due to their inherent operating conditions, especially regarding the presence of harmonic forces, eventually closed-spaced modes, and non-proportional damping due to the bearings. The results presented in the experimental tests showed that, with the use of specific tools, in comparison with traditional experimental modal analysis (EMA), the used OMA methods have managed to successfully identify the modal parameters of a roller bearing supported rotor.

This document addresses enduring challenges encountered in modern experimental modal analysis as well as earlier “resonance testing” associated with measured mode orthogonality requirements. To this end, the document’s goals are (1) retirement of false damping and real mode notions (dating back to Lord Rayleigh, 1877), (2) achievement a community consensus on 85+ years of resonance and modal testing, and (3) establishment of an experimental modal analysis process that is independent of a-priori predictive mathematical models. The above goals are satisfied by addressing six key objectives, namely (a) validation of measured complex experimental modes, (b) empirical isolation of experimental modes (the “Holy Grail” of resonance testing), (c) definition of a state-space orthogonality standard, independent of an approximate reduced-order mass matrix, (d) exploitation of state-space, left-hand eigenvectors and their relationship to modal momentum and kinetic energy distributions, (e) establishment of a universal practice for a broad family of modal testing methods, and (f) application of the above six objectives to ambient (operational modal analysis) methods.

A new operational modal analysis (OMA) method is developed for estimation of modal parameters (MPs) of a rotating structure (RS) subject to random excitation using a nonuniform rotating beam model, an image processing method, and an improved demodulation method. The solution to the governing equation of a nonuniform rotating beam is derived, which can be considered as the response of the beam measured by a continuously scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (CSLDV) system. A recently developed tracking CSLDV system can track and scan the RS. The image processing method determines the angular position of the RS so that the tracking CSLDV system can sweep its laser spot along a time-varying path on it. The improved demodulation method obtains undamped mode shapes (UMSs) of the RS by multiplying its measured response by sinusoids whose frequencies are its damped natural frequencies (DNFs) that are obtained from the fast Fourier transform of the measured response. Experimental investigation of the OMA method using the tracking CSLDV system is conducted, and MPs of a rotating fan blade (RFB), including DNFs and UMSs, with different constant speeds and its instantaneous MPs with a non-constant speed are estimated. Estimated first DNFs and UMSs of the stationary fan blade and RFB are compared with those from the lifting method that was previously developed by the authors.

Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) is a methodology to obtain the modal properties of a structure using the dynamical responses of the system only. That methodology is very useful in aeroelastic in-fligh testing where there are difficulties in measuring directly the aerodynamic loads on aircraft. For risk reduction in the future flight operations of the EOLO at ITA, wind-tunnel tests were performed. EOLO is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with high aspect ratio and structural flexibility, designed to study aeroelastic phenomena and to evaluate the interaction of flexible effects with the aircraft flight dynamics. In this work The Frequency Domain OMA techniques: Decomposition (FDD), Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition (EFDD), Spatial and Frequency Domain Decomposition (SFDD) are applied to the vibrational data from wing tunnel test campaign in different operation conditions, using acceleration and strain measurements. The results between the OMA techniques are compared with previous modal characterization from Ground Vibration Test (GVT) and numerical aeroelastic analysis. The different generations of the frequency domain decomposition methods proved their suitability for use in aircraft aeroelastic characterization using accelerations and strain measurements.

Abstract. In the present study we investigate development of operational modal analysis (OMA), different OMA techniques as well as relevant issues and experimental studies. Furthermore, we classify previously performed studies have been conducted so far and consider the most important one. So, first we review the fundamental concepts. Then, the history and application of the OMA method will be examined comprehensively to observe their role in the development of the technique. Three basic methods of FDD, SSI, and Next will be discussed and the research works associated to them will be analyzed.

A recent development in operational modal analysis (OMA) is the possibility of using measured, artificial loads in addition to the unmeasured, ambient excitation, while the ratio between forced and ambient excitation can be low compared to classical experimental modal analysis (EMA). Most of these so-called OMAX algorithms lack the intuitiveness of their EMA and OMA counterparts, since they fit a system model that takes both the measured and the operational excitation into account directly to the measured signals. A more physically intuitive subspace algorithm for OMAX, that starts with an accurate decomposition of the measured joint response in a forced and an ambient part, was recently introduced. In this paper, the performance of this algorithm, which is called CSI-ic/ref, is assessed by means of a case study, where a two-span steel arch footbridge is tested in operational conditions, with and without using additional actuators. From a comparison of the modal parameters with results from a finite elementmodel, an OMA algorithm, and an alternative OMAX algorithm, it can be concluded that CSI-ic/ref yields accurate modal parameter estimates.KeywordsMode ShapeModal ParameterBridge DeckModal Assurance CriterionExperimental Modal AnalysisThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

The ancient masonry city hall in L'Aquila, Italy (Margherita Palace) that was severely damaged during the L'Aquila earthquake in April 2009 has been subjected to ambient vibration tests to determine its dynamic characteristics such as the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios. The processing of ambient vibration responses is performed with three output-only identification approaches: (1) the frequency-domain decomposition, (2) random decrement (RD) technique combined with the eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA), and (3) the natural excitation technique (NExT) combined with ERA. Measurements were made in the palace and in the civic tower using 15 sensors in three different configurations, and the ambient vibration tests involved the simultaneous measurements of longitudinal and lateral vibrations. Lateral vibration modes for the civic tower were identified clearly; a total of five modal shapes and frequencies were identified in the frequency range 0 to 7 Hz. The modal identification in the palace was more difficult because of the severe damage; however, the two bending modes in the perpendicular directions were identified. The comparison of the three experimental techniques shows good agreement, confirming the reliability of the three identification methods. The results of the modal identification have been used to update the finite-element model of the palace. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000494. © 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers. CE Database subject headings: Historic buildings; Masonry; Finite element method; Vibration; Structural analysis; Earthquakes; Italy. Author keywords: Output-only modal identification; Frequency domain decomposition (FDD); Eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA); Random decrement (RD); Masonry structure; Finite-element model; Ambient vibration; Identification; EMA; Operational modal analysis.

The identification of modal parameters of a machine tool structure, in service, is important to ensure stability and productivity during machining operations. The characterization can be carried out through an Operational Modal Analysis (OMA). However, in the presence of strong harmonic excitation, the application of OMA is not straightforward. To overcome this difficulty, the Transmissibility Function-Based (TFB) method is proposed. The major advantage of this approach is its independence from the excitation nature and its ability to separate structural poles from spurious ones. The main novelty of this paper lies in the investigation of the TFB approach to identify the modal properties of a machine tool, during machining operations. Identified modal model through an Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA) of the considered machine tool, at rest, presents our reference modal base to validate results obtained through the TFB approach. For a comparison purpose, the modified Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition (EFDD) method is also investigated. Both methods enable the identification of the modal properties under operational conditions, with a clear advantage to the TFB approach due to its ability to eliminate all of the preponderant harmonic components from the measured data without the need of any additional selection criteria. The TFB method is thus a reliable technique for the identification of modal parameters of a machine tool in operational conditions.