MATLAB for All Steps of Dynamic Vibration Test of Structures

With the recent advances in computer technology and digital simulation software, it is now possible to rapidly and accurately build computer models for complex linear and nonlinear dynamic systems. MATLAB is a unique system that can be used for structural and earthquake engineering problems. This study presents MATLAB tools developed for numerical process of all steps of dynamic vibration test of structures. The functions of the tools are processing the signals obtained from forced and ambient vibration tests of structures, determining the dynamic characteristics of structural systems, and automatically updating the analytical finite element (FE) models. The software group is composed of three programs named as SignalCAD, ModalCAD, and FemUP. The SignalCAD program is developed for processing raw measured data obtained from forced and ambient vibration tests of engineering structures. The ModalCAD program is developed for dynamic characteristic identification and validation procedure. The peak picking method, complex exponential method, and polyreference time domain method are used for modal identification process. The FemUP program is developed for automatically updating the numerical models of structures compared to modal testing results. Each program has a unique graphical user interface and is designed as user friendly. The possibilities of the programs are demonstrated with the model vibration test of a steel cantilever beam. The obtained results are compared to the analytical model, and the FE model is automatically updated, whereas the experimental model is considered as the reference model. Finally, it is seen that MATLAB can be used as a scientific programming platform in all vibration test and modal analysis applications.