Some issues in condition assessment of large structures using dynamic measurements

The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of experimental structural dynamics as a unique technology for global health monitoring of large structures. Assessment of damage and objective condition evaluation of existing civil infrastructure systems (CIS) are important needs for making decisions during regular operation as well as before and after disasters. Objective condition assessment is also a fundamental knowledge need for successful health monitoring of CIS. In this paper, the writers discuss promises as well as the challenges for dynamic measurements, and the use of modal flexibility matrices for condition assessment when dynamic methods are applied on large structures. They present snapshots from their past and current studies where dynamic tests were implemented on medium and long span bridges