A health monitoring system for large structural systems

A structural dynamic based health monitoring system for large structural systems has been proposed in this article. The proposed method has been verified numerically and experimentally by implementing the scheme on a model of a long span bridge. In the implementation process, the following steps have been identified as being important: (1) finite element modeling for the purpose of establishing the base line, (2) optimal sensor placement to make a scheme economical and (3) damage identification. In the process the authors have identified and discussed the various difficulties that have been encountered and have made suitable recommendations for circumventing the problems.