Vibration-based damage severity estimation basing on a non-model damage feature

In this paper a direct analysis is carried out to investigate the feasibility of the Interpolation Damage Detection Method to quantify the magnitude of damage in a structure permanently monitored by a network of accelerometers. The investigation is carried out based on the numerically simulated responses obtained from the finite element model of a benchmark suspension bridge subjected to seismic excitation. Damage is simulated through a reduction of the elastic modulus of the material in selected structural elements. The responses of the bridge both in the undamaged and in several single and multiple damaged configurations are computed and used to feed the algorithm in order to study the correlation between the values of the damage parameters and the severity of damage for several single and multiple damage scenarios.