Structural model updating of an offshore platform using the cross model cross mode method: An experimental study

The present paper validates a recently developed cross model cross mode (CMCM) model updating method for an offshore platform structure by using experimental data. First, the CMCM model updating method, where a modal expansion technique is used to overcome the spatial incompleteness problem, is briefly summarized. One particularly novel development is that a simplified added-mass model of the surrounding water is proposed, and the updating coefficients are directly incorporated into the CMCM procedure. Next, a small-scale offshore platform is fabricated. Model tests are experimentally conducted for four cases, including two cases in air with and without deck mass and two cases in water under hammer and wave excitation. Finally, the first three orders of modal parameters are identified. The CMCM method in combination with the modal expansion technique is used to update the structural models. The results demonstrate that the present method is effective for the model updating of offshore platform structures with a minimal amount of lower-order, spatially incomplete experimental modal data. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.