Extensive amounts of operational data are generated over time by the health monitoring system of a structure's management system, yet there are few analysis algorithms which can tell the exact working state of the structure on-line. Good maintenance engineers need to know the exact location and state of the structural components after an earthquake or some attack or accident involving the structure, possibly within a matter of hours, and the client also demands a rapid diagnosis of the structure before making decisions on any necessary remedial work.

This book is devoted to the...

The interaction phenomenon is very common between different components of a mechanical system. It is a natural phenomenon and is found with the impact force in aircraft landing; the estimation of degree of ripeness of an apple from impact on a beam; the interaction of the magnetic head of a computer disk leading to miniature development of modern computer; etc. Uncertainty in some of them would lead to inaccurate analysis results on the behavior of the structure. The interaction force is difficult to measure unless instruments have been installed during construction for this purpose. Some...

The interaction phenomenon is very common between different components of a mechanical system. It is a natural phenomenon and is found with the impact force in aircraft landing; the estimation of degree of ripeness of an apple from impact on a beam; the interaction of the magnetic head of a computer disk leading to miniature development of modern computer; etc. Uncertainty in some of them would lead to inaccurate analysis results on the behavior of the structure. The interaction force is difficult to measure unless instruments have been installed during construction for this purpose. Some...