Operational modal parameter identification with colored noise excitation

Abstract

Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) refers to the modal analysis of a structure in its operating state. The advantage of OMA is that only the output vibration signal of a system is used in the analysis process. Classic OMA is based on the white noise excitation assumption and many identification methods have been developed in both time domain and frequency domain. But in reality, many environmental excitations are not compliance with the white noise assumption. In this paper, a method of half power bandwidth analysis is applied to power spectrum analysis to deal with the colored noise and trapezoidal spectral excitation. The modal frequencies and modal damping ratios are derived and the error caused by trapezoidal spectral and colored noise excitation are analyzed. It is proved that the OMA algorithm based on the white noise assumption can be extended to the colored noise environments under certain conditions. Finally, a simulation example with a cantilever beam and a vibration test with four kinds of colored noise and trapezoidal spectrum base excitation are carried out and the results support the proposed method.