Scaling-factor estimation using an optimized mass-change strategy

In operational modal analysis, only unscaled mode shapes can be obtained. The mass-change method is in many cases the simplest way to estimate the scaling factors, which involves repeated modal testing after changing the mass at different points of the structure where the mode shapes are known. With this method, the scaling factors are determined using the natural frequencies and mode shapes of both the modified and the unmodified structure. However, the uncertainty on the scaling-factor estimation depends on the modal-analysis accuracy and the mass-change strategy (number, magnitude, and location of the masses) used to modify the dynamic behavior of the structure. In this paper, a procedure to optimize the mass-change strategy is proposed, which uses the modal parameters (natural frequencies and mode shapes) of the original structure as the basic information.