ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines identification of the dynamic properties of the buildings by in-situ dynamic tests as a prerequisite for mathematical modelling and finite element (FE) updating of existing masonry structures. For application of the performance based methods and seismic assessment of masonry buildings, stiffness and mass properties are considered as imperative properties. The structural assessment of existing buildings has increasing importance in seismic regions both due to the importance of the occupants and the local policy to improve their behavior during earthquake events. Initial FE models and FE model updating of the buildings was performed by three-dimensional structural modeling based on finite element method implemented in Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional software. The basic principle of numerical calibration or FE model updating consists of changing selected parameters in the FE model until reasonable match of the numerical and experimental results is obtained. FE model updating was performed using the developed FE models considering the operational modal analysis results.
