Damage assessment through control feedback expansion of modal space

Damage assessment is often done through correlating changes in a system's modal properties. In this research, the modal space is expanded through adding known virtual changes to the system dynamics at discrete points. This is the control feedback process is similar in principle to the Perturbed Boundary Condition methods that were proposed in the previous decade but more expansive through choice of controller parameters. By assembling these perturbed systems in concert with the baseline model the system space is expanded and changes in modal properties can be more readily observed. From these changes, inferences about physical alterations of the system can be deduced. Specifically, this project will assess the degree to which the technique proposed in [3] is applicable to a real structure, with the ultimate goal of identifying the location and level of structural change to a cantilever beam.