Fully automated OMA: An opportunity for smart SHM systems

Advances in dynamic identification procedures and optimization of hardware performances play a relevant role in the development of Structural Health Monitoring in hazardous areas. Several worldwide applications are reported in the literature and several methods able to assess the health state of a structure exist, some of which are based on tracking the modal characteristics of the structure during service life and especially after damage due to exceptional loads. The most relevant drawbacks of such methods, however, is represented by the need of a user intervention during the modal parameter identification processes, that does not fit requirements of SHM systems. In this paper, an approach for automated modal parameters identification and tracking is described: the algorithm has been integrated in a fully automated SHM system and is based on a consolidated technique of operational modal analysis, the Frequency Domain Decomposition. The algorithm has been implemented into a specific software package developed in LabView 8 environment and it is still submitted to extensive tests. Some results obtained since its integration in the SHM system of the School of Engineering Main Building at University of Naples are reported and the potentialities of such algorithm as engine of smart SHM system are described. © 2009 Society for Experimental Mechanics Inc.