Vibration-Based Damage Detection of a Monopile Specimen Using Output-Only Environmental Models

The field of vibration-based Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) relies on the evolution of the dynamic characteristics to identify the current health state of a monitored structure. In reality, these parameters are influenced either by a potential degradation of the structural integrity or by the varying environmental conditions. Therefore, a robust SHM scheme must clearly distinguish the different sources of changes in the monitored modal parameters. Along these lines, this study aims to identify structural changes in a monitored structure subjected to ambient vibrations and varying environmental conditions. The investigated structure consists of a wooden mast with a steel frame topside and is clamped to a concrete block at the bottom. During the monitoring campaign, the vibration response is acquired by a measurement system with four 3D sensors placed at strategic locations on the topside.