Department of Civil Engineering

Permanent URI for this collection

http://nits.ndl.gov.in/handle/123456789/43

Browse

Browsing Department of Civil Engineering by Issue Date

Filter results by year or month
Now showing 1 - 20 of 29
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Seismic Fragility Analysis Of Multi Span Simply Supported Bridge System
    (Department of Civil Engineering, NITS, 2022) Chand, Deep
    Bridges are essential lifeline infrastructures that constantly enable mobility and support operations for a society; past earthquakes, such as the 1971 San Fernando earthquake, the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake in Japan, and the 1999 Chi Chi earthquake in Taiwan, have demonstrated that bridges are vulnerable to earthquakes. The seismic vulnerability of highway bridges is usually expressed in fragility curves, which display the conditional probability that the structural demand (structural response) caused by various levels of ground shaking exceeds the structural capacity defined by a damaged state. Fragility curves of structures can be generated empirically and analytically. Empirical fragility curves are usually developed based on the damage reports from past earthquakes, while analytical fragility curves are developed from seismic response analysis of structures, and the resulting fragility curves are verified with actual earthquake data, if available. Since earthquake damage data are very scarce, so analytical method is the only feasible approach to develop fragility curves for structures in this region. This report presents an analytical method for the development of fragility curves of highway bridges. In this method, uncertainties in the parameters used in modelling ground motion, site conditions, and bridges are identified and quantified to establish a set of earthquake-site bridge samples. A incremental dynamic analysis is performed for each earthquake-site-bridge sample to establish the probabilistic characteristics of structural demand as a function of a ground shaking parameter, for example, spectral acceleration or peak ground acceleration. Furthermore, bridge damage states are defined, and the probabilistic characteristics of structural capacity corresponding to each damage state are established. Then, the conditional probabilities that structural demand exceeds structural capacity are computed, and the results are displayed as fragility curves. The advantage of this approach is that the assessment of uncertainties in the modelling parameters can be easily verified and refined. To illustrate the proposed method, the method is applied to a continuous T-beam girder bridge.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Performance Evaluation Of Microsurfacing Mix Containing Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement
    (Department of Civil Engineering, NITS, 2022) Kumar, Kallempudi Pavan Mahesh
    The current size of the road network, along with a lack of adequate funds for its renovation, has prompted the development of technologies for repairing and maintaining existing pavements. Microsurfacing is one of the most advanced pavement surface treatments available, capable of treating a wide range of pavement distresses while also having a longer shelf life than other options. In this case, RAP materials created during the maintenance and rehabilitation of asphalt pavements can be consumed as part of the required materials in the same process, minimizing material costs and difficulties caused by RAP production. Sustainability, economic benefit, reduced pollution, and the preservation of natural resources are all aspects that encourage the reuse of RAP. We receive largely fine aggregates when we remove the RAP material from the old pavement, which are needed for the microsurfacing mix. The tensile strength of microsurfacing mixtures is one of the most important factors in pavement deterioration and collapse. As a result, the effects of reinforcing microsurfacing mixtures with polypropylene fibres, as well as their engineering performance, were explored in this work. In this investigation, RAP aggregates contained small contaminants, according to FTIR measurements. As a result, these aggregates can be classified as medium-quality aggregates, and the presence of morphological matter in RAP qualifies them for microsurfacing. As a virgin binder, cationic slow setting bitumen emulsion CSS-1 is used. Because a polymer modified emulsion is required for microsurfacing, the emulsion is modified by adding 5% SBS polymer rubber to increase the emulsion's characteristics. The use of fiber reinforcement in microsurfacing improves the performance properties of the material. In the entire investigation, 0.2 % polypropylene fiber by weight of total microsurfacing mix is considered. Various physical property testing for natural and RAP aggregates were conducted, including abrasion value, specific gravity, and water absorption tests. The obtained are in the permissible limit hence we can use directly in the mix. It is carried out penetration test, ductility value, softening point, and specific gravity for bitumen emulsion. The flow value of the mix is increased by adding superplasticizers, and the water content is increased by adding RAP. Increased water content and superplasticizers in the microsurfacing mix alleviate the balling effect problem caused by fibers and fine particles. To determine the performance parameters of microsurfacing mix with various percentages of RAP replacement, prepared specimens are evaluated for marshal stability, ITS, cantabro abrasion loss, and static creep test. The ideal emulsion content for the microsurfacing mix is calculated using an average of the emulsion contents achieved at Marshall stability, 4% air voids, and a bulk density of 13.33 %, which can be used for future testing with RAP aggregates. In comparison to other combinations of mixes with RAP replacement, the results indice 45% as the optimum RAP replacement percentage that can replace conventional aggregates in microsurfacing mixes because it showed the best overall performance in terms of volumetric properties and performance tests. ln comparison to other RAP-replacement mixtures that have been examined So, if a higher percentage of RAP is necessary, we can use up to 45% without compromising the microsurfacing mix's desired performance. Improved RAP material usage could be a critical step in developing long-term pavement infrastructure.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Evaluating The Efect Of Fly Ash Pellets As A Replacement Of Aggregates In Pavement Quality Concrete
    (Department of Civil Engineering, NITS, 2022) Javeed, Mohammed
    Concrete is fundamentally a man-made mixture comprising aggregates which are 70 to 80 percent of the volume of concrete that is held together by a cementing phase. Aggregates are one of the largest used materials globally. Due to the extraction of the aggregates from the quarry’s it will create an ecological imbalance and natural resources are depleted as a result. The environmental impact of aggregate extraction from a quarry is one of the most pressing concerns. Aggregate quarries have a number of negative environmental consequences which consist of, effects on climate, water environment, landscape, natural environment. Throughout the last many years, the demand for natural resources has skyrocketed, as it is firmly connected to the urban area's turn of events and its financial development. Therefore, there is a need to develop a substitute for aggregates and artificial aggregates are one of such alternatives, Fly ash pellets are one of such artificial aggregates that can be used in construction to replace traditional aggregates. Thermal power facilities produce fly ash as a byproduct, India is expanding electricity demand necessitates the use of thermal power plants to generate 70% of the country's electricity. Air pollution from particle emissions, water pollution, and a lack of land for disposing fly ash are among environmental concerns from these plants. the production of fly ash pellets is a good way to put a lot of fly ash to good use.The fly-ash pellets are made in this study using a laboratory procedure (manual) followed by cold bonding curing to get the desired strength to the pellets. Fly ash pellets are prepared in different fly ash and cement ratios using manual method. On comparing the strength properties of the pellets with different ratios 3:1 fly ash (FA) and cement(C) ratio gave the better results. Then the pellets are prepared with 3:1 FA:C with varying percentage of basalt fibers for giving more strength to the pellets, after comparing the results, for 3:1 FA:C ratio the optimum percentage of basalt fibers obtained is 0.5 percent. then for decreasing the water absorption of the pellets, it is treated with the water glass, here, the water glass used is sodium silicate. The treatment of the pellets with the water glass results in decreasing the water absorption about 15 percent. The treated pellets which are prepared with 3:1 FA:C ratio and in pavement quality, basalt fibers are utilized to replace aggregates. concrete. The fly ash pellets as a substitute for coarse aggregates in the percentages of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% for M40 grade concrete. Following the comparison, with the traditional concrete, the maximum replacement obtained is 15 percent.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Static And Dynamic Analysis Of 2d And 3d Structures Using Python Scripts In Opensees
    (Department of Civil Engineering, NITS, 2022) Vishal, Rebba
    It is generally accepted that most building structures shall exhibit a nonlinear response when subjected to medium-high intensity earthquakes. It is currently known, however, that this phenomenon is not properly modelled in the majority of cases, especially at the design stage, where only simple linear methods have effectively been used. Recently, as a result of the exponential progress of computational tools, nonlinear modelling and analysis have gradually been brought to a more promising level. A wide range of modelling alternatives developed over the years is hence at the designer’s disposal for the seismic design and assessment of engineering structures. The objective of the study presented herein is to test some of these models in an existing structure, and observe their performance in nonlinear static and dynamic analyses. This evaluation is done by the use of a known range of advanced finite element software opensees. In this study a one bay portal frame and reinforced concrete building is considered for the study and analysed for the static and dynamic loads. To study the behaviour of the structure under earthquake loading five real ground motion data are considered.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Durability analysis of chemically stabilized fiber reinforced clayey soil
    (Department of Civil, NITS, 2024-07) Acharjee, Abhash
    This study aims to investigate the effect of varying percentages of lime, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), rice husk ash (RHA) and coir fiber on the Atterberg’s limit and durability of the samples. It was observed that addition of chemical stabilizers reduced the plasticity index of the soil samples rendering the soil less plastic. This could potentially reduce the swelling and shrinkage of clay soil. The incorporation of lime, GGBS or RHA reduced the linear shrinkage of the soil but higher dosage of lime made the soil more brittle indicated by multiple cracks on the surface of the soil sample. It was observed that when part of the soil is replaced with lime, GGBS, RHA and coir fiber and were tested for durability after curing of 28 days by subjecting them to alternating wetting and drying cycles the inclusion of lime, RHA, GGBS and coir fiber facilitates pozzolanic reactions, enhancing soil binding and reducing plasticity. The results show significant improvements in the durability of the treated soils compared to untreated clay. The inclusion of 5% lime, 10% GGBS and 1% coir fiber rendered the best performance after being subjected to wetting drying cycles with a UCS of 743.2 kPa after the 10th cycle and cumulative mass loss of 11.52% of its initial mass after 10th cycle.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    GROUND RESPONSE ANALYSIS AND LIQUEFACTION POTENTIAL AT TWO BRIDGE SITES IN SILCHAR TOWN
    (National Institute of Technology, Silchar, 2026) NATH, SNEHASISH
    Silchar, in southern Assam, is the state's second most densely inhabited city, with an economy cantered on agriculture, forestry, and tea cultivation. The current study focuses on ground response analysis and liquefaction potential assessment at two key bridge sites: Itkholaghat and Sadarghat. Subsurface soil conditions were characterized using detailed geotechnical data from eight boreholes across these sites collected from the Public Works Department (PWD) of Assam. Ground response analysis was carried out with the SHAKE2000 software, which included a typical acceleration time history from a Mw 7.2 Indo-Burma region earthquake obtained from the COSMOS Virtual Data Centre. The peak ground acceleration (PGA) values obtained were then used to determine the liquefaction potential of the soil profiles. The analysis shows that most boreholes are highly susceptible to liquefaction, particularly at shallow depths, due to the presence of loose, moist soil layers. Borehole 5 (BH5) at the Sadarghat bridge site, on the other hand, shows significant resistance to liquefaction up to 30 m deep, most likely due to denser or more cohesive soil strata. Furthermore, the study considers the impact of seasonal groundwater table variations, which is an important aspect in liquefaction assessment. It was discovered that as the groundwater table rises closer to the ground surface—particularly during monsoon seasons—the likelihood and severity of liquefaction increase significantly. These findings emphasize the significance of site-specific geotechnical evaluation and groundwater concerns in seismic risk assessment and infrastructure design in the region.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    VIBRATION CONTROL IN PRESTRESSED CONCRETE (PSC) BOX-GIRDER BRIDGE USING DIFFERENT TYPES OF DAMPER
    (National Institute of Technology, Silchar, 2026) HAZARIKA, PRIYANSHU KASHYAP
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    LOAD-SETTLEMENT STUDY OF SKIRTED FOOTING RESTED ON STONE COLUMN IMPROVED CLAYEY SOIL
    (National Institute of Technology, Silchar, 2026) Das, Nisha
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Study of Dynamic Parameters for an Existing RC Building including Fluid Viscous Damper
    (National Institute of Technology, Silchar, 2026) Barbhuiya, Shah Nawaj
    This work examines how well a current six-level concrete structure in Karimganj, Assam withstands shaking during quakes; the area falls into Zone V on India's hazard map (IS 1893 Part 1:2016). Shaped like a long thin rectangle - measuring 46.37 meters by 6.75 meters - it risks large sideways movement when ground motion strikes. Computer simulations ran in ETABS version 18.1.1 produced five versions: one without added supports, another fitted with one type of shock absorber layout, then two setups splitting dampers across different floor groups, finally a model concentrating devices just on lower levels. Each design underwent spectral assessment along the primary horizontal axis, tracking shifts in vibration period, floor-by-floor shift amounts, changes between adjacent level gaps, total base force resistance, plus how rigidity spreads through height. Results highlight variations tied directly to placement strategy. Among the tested setups, the greatest interstorey drift consistently appears at the bottom level across every model. At peak performance, the dual FVD setup slashes drift by 80.0% - dropping values from 0.00762 to 0.00152 - and cuts roof movement by 73.6%, shifting it from 94.5 mm down to 25.0 mm. With noticeably fewer units installed, the lower-floor damper layout still manages a 66.7% drop in drift, reaching 0.00254, along with a 60.5% shrink in displacement, ending at 37.3 mm - a strong balance between savings and impact. Meanwhile, placing dampers higher up barely changes outcomes: drift slips just 9.2% to 0.00692, while base force eases only 8.7%, stepping from 18,926 kN to 17,286 kN, which underscores its weak contribution. Roughly half of the total lateral resistance vanishes when dampers anchor low, regardless of exact arrangement, suggesting minimal added benefit once a strategic minimum is met. Most effective results come when dampers go where movement is greatest - lower levels matter more than quantity. Placing them higher tends to reduce benefit, so upper floors see little advantage. Evidence clearly supports focusing on low-level installation for better performance during quakes. This approach works well for concrete structures of moderate height in active quake regions like northeast India.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Municipal Solid Waste Land fill Site-Hydrological Risk Factors
    (National Institute of Technology, Silchar, 2026) Deb, Chandrika
    The rapid growth of urban population and waste generation has made the selection of environmentally suitable landfill sites a critical challenge for sustainable solid waste management. This study aims to identify optimal landfill locations in the Silchar Municipal Area using a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) integrated with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Multiple environmental, hydrological, and infrastructural parameters—including land use/land cover (LULC), rainfall, groundwater depth, slope, elevation, and proximity to road sand streams—were considered for suitability analysis. Spatial datasets were processed and reclassified into thematic layers, and AHP was employed to assign relative weights to each criterion through pairwise comparison, ensuring a consistent and systematic decision-making framework. The weighted overlay analysis classified the study area into five suitability zones ranging from not suitable to most suitable, leading to the identification of potential landfill sites. To enhance the reliability of the results, a detailed hydrological risk assessment was conducted using stream proximity, rainfall distribution, and ground water depth, highlighting areas prone to contamination risks. Sensitivity analysis was further performed by varying the weights of key criteria, and the results demonstrated minimal variation in site selection, confirming the robustness of the model. Field validation was carried out for the shortlisted sites to verify ground conditions, resulting in the rejection of unsuitable locations and the final selection of the most feasible site. The selected land fill site satisfies both environmental and practical criteria, ensuring minimal impact on surrounding ecosystems. The study presents an integrated and systematic approach that combines spatial analysis, risk assessment, and field verification for reliable landfill site selection. The methodology can serve as a decision-support tool for urban planner sand policy makers in achieving sustainable and environmentally sound solid waste management, particularly in data-limited urban regions
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A Two-Stage Method for Damage Detection in Members and Joints of Steel Frames
    (National Institute of Technology, Silchar, 2026) Sagar, Sharjid
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Modelling and Predicting Local Weather Condition Using UAV-Based Sensors Networks
    (National Institute of Technology, Silchar, 2026) Mangte, Haoneihling Jarvis
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Effect of High Temperature on Mode I Intralaminar Fracture Toughness
    (National Institute of Technology, Silchar, 2026) Kumar, Pinisetti Praveen
    This study explored fracture behaviour of two types of glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) – a pultruded I-beam and a hand-layup sheet – behave under high temperature. The pultruded profile contained about 73% glass fiber by weight with three different fiber layers (random mat, combined mat, and unidirectional 0° mat), while the hand-layup laminate had roughly 40% fiber with a 0° core and random outer skins. Mechanical tests showed that both materials are much stronger along the fiber direction than across it. Fracture toughness was measured using single-edge notch bending (SENB) tests at room temperature and after heating to 60 °C, 100 °C, 200 °C, and 300 °C. At room temperature, the critical stress intensity factor (K1c) was 26.5 MPa·mm1/2 for the profile and 22.6 MPa·mm1/2 for the laminate. After heating, the peak load rose slightly at 100 °C (possibly from extra curing) but fell sharply at 200 °C and 300 °C due to matrix breakdown; at 400 °C the resin melted completely. A 2D Abaqus model using CPS4R elements for the bulk GFRP and COH2D4 cohesive elements for the crack path, with Hashin damage, successfully reproduced the experimental trend – simulated peak loads dropped from 2.89 kN at room temperature to 0.78 kN at 400 °C. Damage patterns shifted from brittle at low temperatures to more ductile at high temperatures. Overall, GFRP works well up to about 200 °C, and the numerical model provides a useful way to predict its fracture behaviour under heat.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    LOAD-SETTLEMENT BEHAVIOUR OF CLAYEY SOIL REINFORCED WITH FLY-ASH + LIME + CLAY COLUMN
    (National Institute of Technology, Silchar, 2026) Baruah , Jubilee
    Deep-seated medium-soft cohesive soil possess major difficulties in geotechnical engineering because of weak shear-resistance, low-bearing capacity, high compressibility, and tendency to undergo excessive settlement. This study focuses on the utilization of fly-ash which is a waste byproduct in geotechnical application to improve the clayey soil at a reasonable cost and also to provide environmentally sustainable alternative solution. The present study highlights the utilization of fly-ash along with the combination of lime and clay for the construction of Fly-ash+Lime+Clay (FLC) Columns to improve the load carrying capacities of the cohesive soils. The objectives of this study are to firstly determine the optimum percentage of fly-ash, lime and clay to prepare the FLC column. Secondly, to determine the load-settlement behaviour shallow foundation rested on Fly-ash+Lime+Clay column embedded in clayey soil bed by experimental investigation. Another objective is to study the effect of length, spacing, number and confinement of FLC column through numerical analysis using PLAXIS-3D software. To achieve the medium-soft consistency of clayey soil bed UCS sample were prepared at different water content and observed that at 43% water content clay soil attains the UCS value of 29.42 kPa that falls under the medium soft category. To achieve the desired proportion of FLC mix, clayey soil was blended with varying percentages of fly-ash and lime, UCS samples were prepared and tested after curing of 7, 14, and 28 days. The optimum proportion of the FLC mix was found to be 47% Fly-ash, 3% Lime and 50% Clay (F47L3C50). A test-tank of dimension 1m³ was filled with medium-soft cohesive soil up to a depth of 0.9m, and vertical load test was performed on a shallow-foundation of size 0.3m×0.3m×0.05m to determine its capacity. Two FLC column configurations, single and square group with 3D spacing were constructed in clay soil bed, each with a uniform diameter (D) of 50mm and with varying L/D ratios of 6, 8, and 10. Vertical load tests were performed on shallow-foundation of same size rested over FLC column improved clayey soil to determine its capacity. The ultimate load obtained from load settlement graphs demonstrated improvement of capacity as 33.83%, 48.69%, 78.81%, 123.05%, 149.07% and 182.16% respectively for the L/D ratios of 6, 8 and 10, for both single and group column. The load-improvement factor was evaluated for settlements of 5 to 50 mm and the settlement reduction factor was determined for applied loads of 0.2 to 0.8 kN. Load-sharing behaviour between shallow-foundation and FLC column was also evaluated. PLAXIS-3D software was used to perform the parametric study where the effect of length, spacing and pattern of FLC column rested on medium-soft clay bed was studied. The efficiency of FLC column with varying length and spacing was also evaluated. Finally, after summarizing all the results the optimum L/D ratio was fixed as 10, spacing as 2D, and the pattern as square. The findings from both the experimental load tests and the numerical simulations provide practical insights for designing efficient deep stabilization methods for medium-soft clay foundations, ensuring improved strength and load-bearing capacity.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Bearing Capacity Enhancement of Poor Soils Using Floating Stone-Filled Bamboo
    (National Institute of Technology,Silchar, 2026) Kumar, Aditya
    In this study we have try to investigate Bearing Capacity Enhancement of Poor Soils Using Floating Stone-Filled Bamboo is based on my project work where I tried to understand how soft soil (Clay soil) can be improved in simple and economical way. In starting our main aim to see how bamboo and stone combination behave when placed in soft soil conditions. After completion of several experiments we have to analysis, numerical modelling was carried out and different cases were analysed step by step. During the all process we have to seen, it was observed that some cases shows better load carrying capacity while others not giving that much improvement load bearing capacity. The comparison of results helped to find which arrangement is performing more efficiently. One important thing I noticed is that small change in spacing and depth can affect the overall response in significant way. The results obtained are quite useful for practical ground improvement techniques. In the end, this work gives a better idea about how sustainable materials like bamboo can be used to improve foundation performance in real field conditions.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    RESPONSE OF VERTICAL AND BATTER PILE-SUPPORTED MACHINE FOUNDATIONS AGAINST VERTICAL VIBRATIONS: A PROTOTYPE PREDICTION.
    (National Institute of Technology, Silchar., 2026) Gifty, Alluri Bunny.
    Machine foundations supported on pile systems are subjected to continuous dynamic loads, making vibration control a critical design requirement. This study investigates the dynamic response of vertical and batter pile-supported machine foundations under vertical vibrations using an integrated analytical, experimental, probabilistic, and numerical approach. Analytical formulations based on IS 2974 (Part 3) were developed and calibrated using experimental data from literature. To account for soil variability, Monte Carlo simulation was performed considering randomness in shear modulus, damping, and weak-zone parameters. Numerical validation was carried out using PLAXIS 3D through a pseudo dynamic frequency sweep approach. Results indicate that resonant amplitude increases nonlinearly with excitation intensity, while resonant frequency remains relatively constant for a given configuration. Batter piles exhibit higher amplitudes and lower frequencies compared to vertical piles due to reduced stiffness. Probabilistic analysis reveals that soil variability can increase the predicted amplitude by up to 35%. Among the methods, PLAXIS 3D provided the closest agreement with experimental results. The study also presents design charts for practical estimation of vibration response.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    VALORIZATION OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES INTO GEOPOLYMER ARTIFICIAL AGGREGATES
    (National Institute of Technology, Silchar, 2026) Santhosh, Chaluvadi
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    STRUCTURAL DAMAGE IDENTIFICATION USING OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES
    (National Institute of Technology, Silchar, 2026) HUSSAIN, ALTHAF
    The present study investigates model-based vibration damage identification through an inverse finite element (FE) updating framework. Structural damage is characterized as a reduction in elemental stiffness parameters and identified by minimizing discrepancies between measured and numerically simulated dynamic responses. The inverse problem is formulated by updating stiffness-related properties to match modal and frequency-domain characteristics of the structure. A progressive modeling strategy was used to assess the performance and robustness of the inverse algorithms as the structural fidelity increases: initially using an Euler–Bernoulli beam model to assess optimization performance for bending-dominated behavior, extending the formulation to Timoshenko beam theory to account for shear deformation and rotary inertia effects for improved dynamic accuracy, and finally generalizing the methodology to a two-dimensional frame model to capture axial–bending interaction and geometric transformation effects for assessing damage localization in redundant structural systems. The damage identification problem was generated as a nonlinear optimization problem and solved using global metaheuristic algorithms, namely Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Genetic Algorithm (GA), Simulated Annealing (SA), Teaching–Learning Based Optimization (TLBO), and Differential Evolution (DE). Three objective functions based on the frequency residual, Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC), and Frequency Response Function (FRF) have been considered to study the sensitivity of various vibration measures. Damage characterization was considered at both the elemental and zonal levels, where a two-step zonal analysis was proposed to improve localization and prevent false positives. Noise perturbation was also considered for frequencies, MAC, and FRFs to test the effectiveness under practical uncertainties. To alleviate the high computational load posed by the repetitive FE analysis during each iteration of the optimization process, a surrogate model was incorporated within the methodology. A non-parametric mapping between the damage parameters and the structure’s response was established through structured sampling of damage configurations and GP-based regression modeling. The surrogate model substitutes the FE model in the evaluation of the objective function, thus providing fast predictions of modal properties with accuracy