Abstract Summary
Operational Modal Analysis for identifying dynamic parameters, together with Finite Element Model Updating algorithms, is a promising and powerful tool for detailed analysis of complex civil engineering structures. It is also an integral part of vibration-based methods in Structural Health Monitoring. In this work, the identification of the dynamic parameters was performed based on output-only vibration data recorded in a testing campaign on a 36m high steel structure used as an observation tower for tourists in Latvia. This slender structure is constructed on a shallow foundation consisting of a concrete slab freely supported on the ground. Hence, another task of the work is that of investigating possible foundation rocking effects on the dynamic behavior of the tower. To interpret correctly the experimental results, a Finite Element Model of the tower has been developed within the Ansys environment. After a sensitivity analysis is carried out to understand which parameters mostly affect the dynamics of the tower (elastic modulus of materials, stiffness of restraints, masses, etc,), the Model Updating is performed by adopting an Artificial Intelligence algorithm called Particle Swarm Optimization. The calibration is performed with the aim of obtaining a numerical model that simulates the real dynamic behavior of the case study with high accuracy and can be used for the development and design of the Structural Health Monitoring system of the tower.
