Evaluating the performance of distributed approaches for modal identification

In this paper two modal identification approaches appropriate for use in a distributed computing environment are applied to a full-scale, complex structure. The natural excitation technique (NExT) is used in conjunction with a condensed eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA), and the frequency domain decomposition with peak-picking (FDD-PP) are both applied to sensor data acquired from a 57.5-ft, 10 bay highway sign truss structure. Monte-Carlo simulations are performed on a numerical example to investigate the statistical properties and sensitivity to noise of the two distributed algorithms. Experimental results are provided and discussed.