Validation of a Construction Process Using a Structural Health Monitoring Network.

A structural health monitoring (SHM) network was installed during the construction of a 56-story frame-wall concrete building with a height of 196 m. The SHM network recorded the vibrations produced by ambient, construction, and earthquake excitations. The vibrations were used to identify the natural periods, mode shapes, and damping ratios of the structure every 10 min for 6 consecutive months and at five specific stages of the construction process over a two-year period. The identified modal parameters were used to validate the construction process and the computer design model by comparing different adaptive computer models that correspond to the progress in construction. Maximum differences of 14% between measured and analytical model natural period were obtained, and correlation to modal shapes were close to 95%, which indicates a good approximation of the predictive design computer model. The experimental techniques also allowed for the direct measurement of the energy dissipation properties of the building. For the low amplitude vibrations, the modal damping ratio ranges from 0.7 to 1.6% for the largest natural periods. The occurrence of the 2010 Central-South Chile earthquake (magnitude ) also allowed for the comparison of the dynamic properties before and after an extreme loading event. A visual inspection of the building indicates an acceptable correlation between the minor damage observed and changes in the modal parameter values. The continuous monitoring of the dynamic properties of this permanently changing building proves to be an excellent tool for the verification of design models and quality assurance in construction control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]