Assessing damage intensity basing on a non-model damage feature on a long span suspension bridge model

In this paper a previously proposed damage localization algorithm, namely the Interpolation Damage Detection Method, is reviewed and its feasibility to estimate the magnitude of damage in a structure permanently monitored by a network of accelerometers is investigated. The investigation is carried out based on the numerically simulated responses obtained from the finite element model of a suspension bridge subjected to environmental excitation. The structure response both in the undamaged and in damaged configurations is computed. Damage is simulated through a reduction of the elastic modulus of the material in selected structural elements. Several damage severities are modeled and the correlation between the damage feature and the severity of damage is investigated.