IDENTIFICATION OF DAMPING MATRICES FROM MEASURED FREQUENCY RESPONSE FUNCTIONS

An improved method to identify damping characteristics of a dynamic system is developed. The method identifies damping characteristics of the system in matrix forms directly from its measured frequency response functions. Each different damping mechanism is identified in a distinct matrix. Theoretical validation and related error analysis are conducted by applying the method to a simple lumped parameter system. The method is implemented experimentally to a thin beam of two different damping configurations. The experimental results demonstrate that the method will work well with realistic problems. Important advantages of the method and potential applications are explained.