Development of a finite element model updating technique for estimation of constituent level elastic parameters of FRP plates

• A non-destructive alternative to evaluate elastic properties of constituent materials.
• Development of a program for quantification of elastic property degradation of constituent materials.
• Stability of the program against random noise.
• Effectiveness in modal and spatial spasity.

A methodology has been developed combining the experimental modal testing and finite element technique to determine the constituent level fiber and matrix elastic properties of fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) composite plates. The methodology implements an inverse eigensensitivity algorithm based on the minimization of error function defined by weighted difference of eigenvalues and mode-shapes. The method is robust against modal and coordinate sparsity, even under random noise. The proposed model updating technique can be deployed for rapid assessment of degrading elastic properties at the constituent level for existing FRP structures in-situ; thus is suitable for health monitoring exercise.