Structural identification of gravity-type caisson structure via vibration feature analysis

Abstract

In this study, a structural identification method is proposed to assess the integrity of gravity-type caisson structures by analyzing vibration features. To achieve the objective, the following approaches are implemented. Firstly, a simplified structural model with a few degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) is formulated to represent the gravity-type caisson structure that corresponds to the sensors' DOFs. Secondly, a structural identification algorithm based on the use of vibration characteristics of the limited DOFs is formulated to fine-tune stiffness and damping parameters of the structural model. Finally, experimental evaluation is performed on a lab-scaled gravity-type caisson structure in a 2-D wave flume. For three structural states including an undamaged reference, a water-level change case, and a foundation-damage case, their corresponding structural integrities are assessed by identifying structural parameters of the three states by fine-tuning frequency response functions, natural frequencies and damping factors.