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. (C) 2001 Academic Press.