Verification of joint input-state estimation by means of a full scale experiment on a footbridge

The efficiency of any damage detection and localization technique depends on the care with which the damage is modeled. Usually, to simulate damage, we either reduce the Young modulus or cross sectional area of the elements housing the damage. Certain authors suggest more realistic damage models that help locate more precisely the damage in the structure. These models range from very simple to more complex damage models. Here is particularly considered the flexibility variation method. The objective of this work is to compare different damage models concerning their efficiencies in detecting and localizing not just one damage but a few, whether they be very distinct or close.