Challenges in Parameter Estimation for Condition Assessment of Structures
Masoud Sanayei
Associate Professor, Tufts UniversityScott W. Doebling
Technical Staff Member, Los Alamos National LaboratoryChuck R. Farrar
Technical Staff Member, Los Alamos National LaboratorySara Wadia-Fascetti
Assistant Professor, Northeastern UniversityBehnam Arya
Doctoral Student, Tufts University
ABSTRACTThis paper presents an overview of current challenges in the field of parameter estimation with a specific application to condition assessment of structures. Over the past 10 years, a large number of methods have been proposed to monitor structural performance. Based on deviations of the analytical model from the observed mechanical behavior the changes in the structural parameters are then estimated. Using these parameter estimates, the condition of the structure is diagnosed. Many of these methods have shown promise using simulated or laboratory data, and some have even been successful when applied in a field test. However, the use of parameter estimation techniques for structural condition monitoring has difficulties to become practical for implementation in operating structures. Many of the reasons are economic, but many aspects of this technology are still in need of development in order to make the benefits of this technology apparent to the civil engineering community. This paper presents some of the issues, both technical and economical, that must be addressed in order to make parameter estimation for structural condition assessment a practical reality.
Contact Information:Prof. S. Wadia-Fascetti (swf@neu.edu)
Dept. of Civil & Env. Engineering
Northeastern University
Boston, MA 02115
Reference:Sanayei, M, Doebling, S. W., Farrar, C. R, Wadia-Fascetti, S., Arya†, B. (1998) “Challenges in Parameter Estimation for Condition Assessment of Structures.” Paper Number T216-5. World Structures Congress, San Francisco, CA, July 1998.Back to: publications page
Back to: group home page