Study on applicability of two modal identification techniques in irrelevant cases.

Study on applicability of two modal identification techniques in irrelevant cases is made in this paper. The following techniques are considered: peak picking based on correlation analysis (PP-CA), dedicated for ambient vibrations and eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA), formulated for free-decay vibrations investigation. Irrelevant cases are found when analyzed signals are different than recommended to a given technique. The study is conducted on examples of two real structures: masonry tower and steel railway bridge. Both cases are diverse in age, material, excitation and vibrations energy. The signals measured on the tower are suitable for the PP-CA technique (ambient vibrations), while the signals measured on the bridge are suitable for the ERA (free-decay vibrations). However, both methods have been applied to both systems. Natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios are identified and the effectiveness of the irrelevant technique is assessed in relation to the results obtained by the relevant method in each case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]