Damage identification that is based on modal analysis is widely used in traditional structural damage identification. However, modal analysis is difficult in high damping structures and modal concentrated structures. Unlike approaches based on modal analysis, damage identification based on the frequency response function allows for the avoidance of error and easy verification through other test points. An updating algorithm is devised is this study by utilizing the frequency response function together with the dynamic reduction with respect to the selected design parameters. Numerical results indicate that the method can be used to define multiple parameters with large variation and incomplete measurement data and is robust against measurement noise. With the purpose of avoiding the occurrence of resonance and gaining additional information, the trial and error method has been used to choose a proper frequency. Furthermore, an experimental scale model in a soil box is subjected to the excitation of moving load to validate the effectiveness of the damage identification approach. The improved damage identification method for underground structures, which is based on the analysis of the frequency response function, can be adopted as an efficient and functional damage identification tool.
Keywords: damage identification; frequency response function; model updating; scale model experiment; soil box.