PARameter Identification System (PARIS) for Automated Finite Element Model Updatin

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) using Non-Destructive Test (NDT) data has become more prevalent due to our deteriorating transport infrastructure and emerging need for its objective condition evaluation. Furthermore, recent progresses in sensor technology, data acquisition systems, and software have significantly enhanced our capabilities for condition monitoring of structures. To address the above need, a SHM program, called PARIS13.0 (PARameter Identification System) has been developed for automated parameter estimation and full-scale Finite Element (FE) model updating. A unique feature of this program is utilization of interactive functionality of existing commercial software packages for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and numerical computation for condition assessment of full-scale structures. SAP2000 is commercial FEA software with an integrated 3D modeling environment. MATLAB, on the other hand, is a fourth generation programming environment that is optimized for numerical computation. Open Application Programming Interface (OAPI) from SAP2000 developers enables SAP2000 to be used as a slave program for FEA through MATLAB. Additionally, the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of SAP2000 can be used for FE model creation and visualization. This combination facilitated development of a platform for automated full-scale FE model updating in the form of PARIS13.0 computer program. PARIS13.0 calibrates the FE model iteratively and automatically by minimizing the residual between the predicted response of the FE model and the measured response from simulated NDT. The capabilities of PARIS13.0 were validated using three examples for full-scale FE model updating based on simulated NDT data from assumed damage scenarios.