To our families PrefaceOperational

To our families PrefaceOperational Modal Analysis is the testing procedure yielding experimental estimates of the modal parameters from measurements of the structural response only.This book reports relevant information and established research results about Operational Modal Analysis in a unified framework. Most of the material in the book is currently disseminated throughout several books and journal papers. An effort has been made to organize this material in a book entirely focused on Operational Modal Analysis. The different aspects of output-only modal testing, from test design to post-processing of results, are analyzed. The book is intended to provide a fundamental theoretical and applicative resource for professional engineers and researchers involved in modal testing of civil structures.It has been conceived as a guide through the most relevant theoretical and practical concepts in view of the development of a customized system for output- only modal testing based on programmable hardware. The illustrated essential theory provides a general framework to acquire the ability and understanding of the techniques. On the other hand, the large attention devoted to the implementation details provides a valuable stimulus in approaching the study. The applicative perspective makes learning easy and the book suitable for a wide range of readers. In order to simplify the practical implementation of concepts and methods, the use of LabVIEW for software and system development is recommended, because it is characterized by an advantageous learning curve. Moreover, it is very powerful and versatile, making possible the integration of measurements and data processing in a single platform.Under this premise, it is possible to understand the choice of focusing the attention on implementation details rather than heavy mathematical proofs. The mathematics is kept as simple as each topic allows; most of the equations are functional to the prompt implementation of algorithms and methods by the reader. The basic software accompanying the book is oriented to fit the needs of both the modal analysts on one hand, and undergraduate/graduate students, researchers and developers on the other hand. The latters, in fact, are usually interested in writing their own code for further developments or business opportunities, and the accompanying software serves as a reference. Test engineers, instead, can find here the tools and the fundamental information to promptly start the modal tests and properly interpret the results.