Optimal Input Location for Modal Identification

A method is discussed to find optimal input locations for experimental modal analysis by maximizing the T-norm of the associated Fisher Information Matrix. Through numerical simulations, it is shown that these input locations may be different for different modes. It is further shown that modal parameters estimated from experiments with non-optimally located inputs may lead to erroneous damage localization. The method is also applied to experiments on a laboratory scale truss model. (c) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.