Modal analysis of slow varying non-stationary vibration by model updating with Schur complement

Abstract

This paper proposes a new algorithm for the online monitoring of slow varying modal parameters in vibrating structures subjected to unknown excitations. In this method, an Auto-Regressive (AR) model will be applied in a Short-Time Sliding Window (STSW) on measured signals. The model parameters will be determined and updated through the order and time obtained from the previous computational window. The recursive multivariable least-squares method is utilized in conjunction with the Schur complement method to find solutions. Numerical simulations of the gradual changing system acted by the random excitations and sinusoidal force are presented. Finally, the modal parameters for the multichannel data measured on an experimental steel plate emerging from the water are identified and compared with those obtained with the analytical method and Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT), providing a powerful means of validating the proposed method.