Structural-System Identification. I: Theory

Abstract

The investigation reported in this paper looks into the application of a number of system-identification techniques to problems of earthquake engineering. A number of techniques for structural-system identification have been developed over the past few years. Many of these techniques have been successful at identifying properties of linearized and time-invariant equivalent structural systems. Most of these techniques were verified using mathematical models simulated on the computer. In this paper, a number of structural-identification algorithms are reviewed and applied to the identification of structural systems subjected to earthquake excitations. The algorithms are applied to experimental data obtained in controlled laboratory conditions. The data pertain to the acceleration records from two building models subjected to various loading conditions. The performance of the various identification algorithms is critically assessed, and guidelines are obtained regarding their suitability to various engineering applications.