PARAMETER-ESTIMATION OF STRUCTURES FROM STATIC RESPONSE .1. COMPUTATIONAL ASPECTS

Two algorithms are proposed for estimating member constitutive propert ies of a finite-element model with known geometry and topology from me asured displacements under a known static loading. The proposed algori thms are based on the concept of minimizing an index of discrepancy be tween the model and the measurements, the first using the error in nod al forces and the second using the error in displacements at the measu rement sites. The problem is set up as a constrained least-squares min imization and is solved with the recursive quadratic programming metho d. Both estimators are capable of making estimates with spatially inco mplete measurements, and both are amenable to the modeling of complex structures.