Identification of base-excited structures using output-only parameter estimation

This paper presents a new identification technique for the extraction of modal parameters of structural systems subjected to base excitation. The technique uses output-only measurements of the structural response. A combined subspace-maximum likelihood algorithm is developed and applied to a three-degree-of-freedom simulation model. Five ensembles of synthetically generated input signals, representing varying input characteristics, are employed in Monte Carlo simulations to illustrate the applicability of the method. The technique is able to circumvent some of the difficulties arising from short data sets by employing the Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm to refine the subspace state estimates. This approach is motivated by successful application by previous authors on speech signals. Results indicate that, for certain system characteristics, more accurate pole estimates can be identified using the combined subspace-EM formulation. In general, the damping ratios of the system are difficult to identify accurately due to limitations on data set length. The applicability of the technique to structural vibration signals is illustrated through the identification of seismic response data from the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.