Estimation of structural parameters using static loading tests

Static damage detection techniques make use of the observed change in the structure's static response (i.e., displacement, strain) to identify, locate and quantify damage. For a given load, the static response is related to the boundary conditions and distribution of structural stiffness throughout the structure. As damage can be characterised as a local reduction in structural stiffness, analysis of the structure's static response has been used extensively to locate and quantify damage. In recent years many new static damage detection techniques have been proposed, with most of the research being focused on the development of finite element based algorithms to estimate the stiffness of the structure. This paper reviews these techniques and discusses their potential when using modern surveying techniques.