B-spline Shell Finite Element Updating by Means of Vibration Measurements

An updating procedure based on measured Frequency Response Function (FRF) data is proposed to correct the numerical parameters of a continuous B spline dynamical model of a shell structural component. Since standard FRF based parametric updating techniques may fail in practical applications because of resonance frequency shift between measured and analytical simulations, a Frequency Domain Assurance Criterion (FDAC) correlation technique was considered and included in the formulation of the objective function. Updating parameters are normalized and constrained in a compact domain by means of a proper variable transformation choice. Some real examples, concerning the model updating of a real railway bridge, is illustrated and discussed.