Dynamic characteristics and model updating of damaged slab from ambient vibration measurements

This paper reports a field investigation using ambient vibration testing on a damaged floor slab of a reinforced concrete frame building. Due to unexpected heavy rainfall, the hill slope at the rear of building failed triggering a major landslide and causing major damage to the perimeter beams and parts of the slab on the first floor. The modal parameters namely natural frequencies and mode shapes were acquired using output only identification technique and the results obtained from the undamaged and damaged floor slabs were compared. It was observed that there was a 25–53% drop in natural frequencies of the damaged slab compared to the undamaged slab, with a much bigger drop for the lower modes. The irregularities in mode shapes identified correlates with the location of the cracks as revealed from visual examination on the damaged slab. Two finite element models of the slab were created using a finite element software package. The damaged slab was updated manually so as to match the modal parameters obtained experimentally. The results from this study further highlight the possibility and feasibility of using non-destructive vibration testing for condition monitoring of structures over more conventional testing techniques.

► Dynamic parameters acquired using output only response measurement.
► 25–53% Drop in natural frequencies of the damaged compared to undamaged slab.
► Irregularities in mode shapes identified correlates with the location of the cracks.
► Simplified approach for finite element updating to model the damaged slab.
► Measurements indicated severe damage but no imminent danger of collapse of the slab.