Characterization of Existing Steel Racks via Dynamic Identification

Steel storage racks are widely used in logistics for storing materials and goods. Rack design is carried out by adopting the so-called design-assisted-by-testing procedure. In particular, experimental analyses must be rack producers on key structural components order to adopt approach proposed more traditional carpentry frames. For existing racks, i.e., those in-service decades, it required evaluate load carrying capacity accordance with provisions currently use. The main problem several cases should appraisal of component performance, owing impossibility obtain specimens from without reduction or interruption logistic flows. To overcome this problem, a quite innovative procedure identification unknowns has been paper. method based in-situ modal tests combined extensive numerical analyses. develop procedure, cheap measurement systems required, they could immediately applied racks. A real case study discussed, showing efficiency evaluation effective elastic stiffness beam-to-column joints base plate connections, that parameters which remarkably affect performance. have determined four sets (two configurations longitudinal direction two transversal direction) plus 9079 iterative results obtained were then directly compared tests, differences lower than 9%.