Model updating of a historical building by using ambient vibration tests : Chapel of the Würzburg Residence (Germany)

One of the first difficulties that can be detected in finite element models of historical buildings is the high level of uncertainty associated with many factors affecting the actual behaviour of the structure. Often the inaccuracies in this model will arise because of poorly known boundary conditions, unknown material properties or simplification in the modelling. These uncertainties in the modelling process cause the predicted dynamics of a structure to be different from the measured dynamics of the real structure. If accurate measured data is available, then this data could be used to improve the numerical model in general and some uncertain parameters of the model in particular. Thus, among the Operational Modal Analysis method, the finite element model updating from the dynamic structural parameters identified experimentally, allows the adjustment of these models in order to obtain a more accurate estimation of behaviour of the structure.