Bayesian Fast Fourier Transform Approach for Modal Updating Using Ambient Data

The problem of identification of the modal parameters of a structural model using measured ambient response time histories is addressed. A Bayesian Fast Fourier Transform approach (BFFTA) for modal updating is presented which uses the statistical properties of the Fast Fourier transform (FFT) to obtain not only the optimal values of the updated modal parameters but also their associated uncertainties, calculated from their joint probability distribution. Calculation of the uncertainties of the identified modal parameters is very important when one plans to proceed with the updating of a theoretical finite element model based on modal estimates. The proposed approach requires only one set of response data in contrast to many of the existing frequency-based approaches which require averaging. It is found that the updated PDF can be well approximated by a Gaussian distribution centred at the optimal parameters at which the posterior PDF is maximized. Examples using simulated data are presented to illustrate the proposed method.