Analyzing the Effects of Shear Deformations on the Constrained Observability Method

Abstract

In the traditional observability method, due to the linearity of the system of equations, measurement sets must usually include redundant measurements. This feature might be especially problematic in those structures where numerous measurements are not possible. To solve this problem and to increase its applicability, the constrained observability method was recently presented. One of the main controversial features of this procedure is that as most of the structural system identification methods, this technique is based on the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, therefore shear deformation effects are neglected in its formulation. Nevertheless, in a number of structures such as deep beams, when actual deformations on-site are considered to estimate the mechanical properties of the elements, neglecting shear deformation effects can result in serious errors in the properties observed. To fill these gaps, after thorough bibliographic research, shear deformation is included in a Structural System Identification method (constrained observability analysis) and parametric analyses are carried out to evaluate the role that shear deformation plays in the structural behavior of structures with different slenderness ratios.