• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.229-248
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• 2014

In this paper, the development of a new optimization software for finite element model updating of engineering structures titled as FemUP is described. The program is used for computational FEM model updating of structures depending on modal testing results. This paper deals with the FE model updating procedure carried out in FemUP. The theoretical exposition on FE model updating and optimization techniques is presented. The related issues including the objective function, constraint function, different residuals and possible parameters for FE model updating are investigated. The issues of updating process adopted in FemUP are discussed. The ideas of optimization to be used in FE model updating application are explained. The algorithm of Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) is explored which will be used to solve the optimization problem. The possibilities of the program are demonstrated with a three dimensional steel frame model. As a result of this study, it can be said that SQP algorithm is very effective in model updating procedure.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.261-274
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• 2014

An accurate finite element (FE) model of a structure is essential for predicting reliably its dynamic characteristics. Such a model is used to predict the effects of structural modifications for dynamic design of the structure. These modifications may be imposed by design alterations for operating reasons. Most of the model updating techniques neglect damping and so these updated models can't be used for accurate prediction of vibration amplitudes. This paper deals with the basic formulation of damped finite element model updating method and its use for structural dynamic modifications. In this damped damped finite element model updating method, damping matrices are updated along with mass and stiffness matrices. The damping matrices are updated by updating the damping coefficients. A case involving actual measured data for the case of F-shaped test structure, which resembles the skeleton of a drilling machine is used to evaluate the effectiveness of damped FE model updating method for accurate prediction of the vibration levels and thus its use for structural dynamic modifications. It can be concluded from the study that damped updated FE model updating can be used for structural dynamic modifications with confidence.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.321-336
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• 2022

Model uncertainty is a key factor that could influence the accuracy and reliability of numerical model-based analysis. It is necessary to acquire an appropriate updating approach which could search and determine the realistic model parameter values from measurements. In this paper, the Bayesian model updating theory combined with the transitional Markov chain Monte Carlo (TMCMC) method and K-means cluster analysis is utilized in the updating of the structural model parameters. Kriging and polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) are employed to generate surrogate models to reduce the computational burden in TMCMC. The selected updating approaches are applied to three structural examples with different complexity, including a two-storey frame, a ten-storey frame, and the national stadium model. These models stand for the low-dimensional linear model, the high-dimensional linear model, and the nonlinear model, respectively. The performances of updating in these three models are assessed in terms of the prediction uncertainty, numerical efforts, and prior information. This study also investigates the updating scenarios using the analytical approach and surrogate models. The uncertainty quantification in the Bayesian approach is further discussed to verify the validity and accuracy of the surrogate models. Finally, the advantages and limitations of the surrogate model-based updating approaches are discussed for different structural complexity. The possibility of utilizing the boosting algorithm as an ensemble learning method for improving the surrogate models is also presented.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2011.04a
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• pp.57-60
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• 2011

Updating model parameters are required in order to simulate the actual behavior of the dynamic structure. A new strategy, mean-iterative neural networks (MINNs) has been proposed in this paper for model parameter updating of a steel box girder bridge. With new strategy for structural dynamic model updating, it offers many advantages such as potential savings of computational effort, more consistent in reaching convergence. The dynamic response obtained from the experimental test on a two span continuous bridge is used as the target for model updating. And the presented algorithm is applied to update the model parameters. These results show a good possible of using MINNs in practice for dynamic model updating.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.667-683
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• 2009

FE model-based dynamic analysis has been widely used to predict the dynamic characteristics of civil structures. In a physical point of view, an FE model is unavoidably different from the actual structure as being formulated based on extremely idealized engineering drawings and design data. The conventional model updating methods such as direct method and sensitivity-based parameter estimation are not flexible for model updating of complex and large structures. Thus, it is needed to develop a model updating method applicable to complex structures without restriction. The main objective of this paper is to present the model updating method based on the hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA) by combining the genetic algorithm as global optimization method and modified Nelder-Mead's Simplex method as local optimization method. This FE model updating method using HGA does not need the derivation of derivative function related to parameters and without application of complicated inverse analysis methods. In order to allow its application on diversified and complex structures, a commercial FEA tool is adopted to exploit previously developed element library and analysis algorithms. Moreover, an output-level objective function making use of measurement and analytical results is also presented to update simultaneously the stiffness and mass of the analysis model. The numerical examples demonstrated that the proposed method based on HGA is effective for the updating of the FE model of bridge structures.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2017

Finite element model updating is very effective procedure to determine the uncertainty parameters in structural model and minimize the differences between experimentally and numerically identified dynamic characteristics. This procedure can be practiced with manual and automatic model updating procedures. The manual model updating involves manual changes of geometry and analyses parameters by trial and error, guided by engineering judgement. Besides, the automated updating is performed by constructing a series of loops based on optimization procedures. This paper addresses the ambient vibration based finite element model updating of long span reinforced concrete highway bridges using manual model updating procedure. Birecik Highway Bridge located on the $81^{st}km$ of Şanliurfa-Gaziantep state highway over Firat River in Turkey is selected as a case study. The structural carrier system of the bridge consists of two main parts: Arch and Beam Compartments. In this part of the paper, the arch compartment is investigated. Three dimensional finite element model of the arch compartment of the bridge is constructed using SAP2000 software to determine the dynamic characteristics, numerically. Operational Modal Analysis method is used to extract dynamic characteristics using Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition method. Numerically and experimentally identified dynamic characteristics are compared with each other and finite element model of the arch compartment of the bridge is updated manually by changing some uncertain parameters such as section properties, damages, boundary conditions and material properties to reduce the difference between the results. It is demonstrated that the ambient vibration measurements are enough to identify the most significant modes of long span highway bridges. Maximum differences between the natural frequencies are reduced averagely from %49.1 to %0.6 by model updating. Also, a good harmony is found between mode shapes after finite element model updating.

• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.904-921
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• 2014

The main objective of this paper is to propose a new Finite Element (FE) model updating technique for damped beam structures. The present method consists of a FE model updating, a Degree of Freedom (DOF) reduction method and a damping matrix identification method. In order to accomplish the goal of this study, first, a sensitivity-based FE model updating method using the natural frequencies and the zero frequencies is introduced. Second, an Iterated Improved Reduced System (IIRS) technique is employed to reduce the number of DOF of FE model. Third, a damping matrix is estimated using modal damping ratios identified by a curve-fitting method and modified matrices which are obtained through the model updating and the DOF reduction. The proposed FE model updating method is verified using a real cantilever beam attached damping material on one side. The updated result shows that the proposed method can lead to accurate model updating of damped structures.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.70 no.5
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• pp.513-524
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• 2019

This study proposed an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) method ensemble with kriging model for model updating. By introducing genetic algorithm (GA) and grouping strategy together with elite selection into standard particle optimization (PSO), the IPSO is obtained. Kriging metamodel serves for predicting the structural responses to avoid complex computation via finite element model. The combination of IPSO and kriging model shall provide more accurate searching results and obtain global optimal solution for model updating compared with the PSO, Simulate Annealing PSO (SimuAPSO), BreedPSO and PSOGA. A plane truss structure and ASCE Benchmark frame structure are adopted to verify the proposed approach. The results indicated that the hybrid of kriging model and IPSO could serve for model updating effectively and efficiently. The updating results further illustrated that IPSO can provide superior convergent solutions compared with PSO, SimuAPSO, BreedPSO and PSOGA.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.74 no.2
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• pp.157-173
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• 2020

In the finite element modelling of long-span cable-stayed bridges, there are a lot of uncertainties brought about by the complex structural configuration, material behaviour, boundary conditions, structural connections, etc. In order to reduce the discrepancies between the theoretical finite element model and the actual static and dynamic behaviour, updating is indispensable after establishment of the finite element model to provide a reliable baseline version for further analysis. Traditional sensitivity-based updating methods cannot support updating based on static and dynamic measurement data at the same time. The finite element model is required in every optimization iteration which limits the efficiency greatly. A convenient but accurate Kriging surrogate model for updating of the finite element model of cable-stayed bridge is proposed. First, a simple cable-stayed bridge is used to verify the method and the updating results of Kriging model are compared with those using the response surface model. Results show that Kriging model has higher accuracy than the response surface model. Then the method is utilized to update the model of a long-span cable-stayed bridge in Hong Kong. The natural frequencies are extracted using various methods from the ambient data collected by the Wind and Structural Health Monitoring System installed on the bridge. The maximum deflection records at two specific locations in the load test form the updating objective function. Finally, the fatigue lives of the structure at two cross sections are calculated with the finite element models before and after updating considering the mean stress effect. Results are compared with those calculated from the strain gauge data for verification.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.253-271
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• 2012

Finite element (FE) model updating is a useful tool for global damage detection technique, which identifies the damage of the structure using measured vibration data. This paper presents the application of a finite element model updating method to detect the damage of a small-scale reinforced concrete building structure using measured acceleration data from shaking table tests. An iterative FE model updating strategy using the least-squares solution based on sensitivity of frequency response functions and natural frequencies was provided. In addition, a side constraint to mitigate numerical difficulties associated with ill-conditioning was described. The test structure was subjected to six El Centro 1942 ground motion histories with different Peak Ground Accelerations (PGA) ranging from 0.06 g to 0.5 g, and analytical models corresponding to each stage of the shaking were obtained using the model updating method. Flexural stiffness values of the structural members were chosen as the updating parameters. In model updating at each stage of shaking, the initial values of the parameter were set to those obtained from the previous stage. Severity of damage at each stage of shaking was determined from the change of the updated stiffness values. Results indicated that larger reductions in stiffness values occurred at the slab members than at the wall members, and this was consistent with the observed damage pattern of the test structure.