Center for Embedded Network Sensing

Identification of the modal properties of the UCLA Factor Building, a 15-story steel moment-resisting frame, is performed using low-amplitude earthquake and ambient vibration data. The numerical algorithm for subspace state-space system identification is employed to identify the structural frequencies, damping ratios, and mode shapes corresponding to the first nine modes. The frequencies and mode shapes identified based on the data recorded during the 2004 Parkfield earthquake (M_w=6.0) are used to update a three-dimensional finite element model of the building to improve correlation between analytical and identified modal properties and responses. A linear dynamic analysis of the updated model excited by the 1994 Northridge earthquake is performed to assess the likelihood of structural damage.