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Terra Insights

Operational modal analysis (OMA)

Using short-term ambient vibration monitoring as an unknown source or dynamic known input, commonly generated through a shaker-driven frequency sweep, aids in characterizing the dynamics (damping, natural frequencies, deformation modes) of the measured structure.

Operation Modal Analysis (OMA) is typically executed using acceleration devices over a span of hours to a day, aiming to evaluate and validate the as-built structures against initial design calculations. Acquiring synchronized absolute time history accelerograms periodically enables a comprehensive understanding of structural aging for proactive operational maintenance. This data-driven approach ensures optimal predictive maintenance strategies.

The main features are:

  • Very low-noise acceleration sensors, >135dB, bandwidth 0 Hz – 200 Hz minimum
  • Very accurate absolute time synchronization, in the micro-second range (μs)
  • GNSS localized measurements
  • Common dynamic recording of time history signals between multiple devices, with recordings duration of several minutes (in order to capture low frequencies)
  • Autonomous devices with automated levelling and orientation, easily and quickly installed on site, in a cable-free manner
  • Straightforward data processing, using a cloud platform, typically Syscom Cloud Software (SCS)