Damage assessment based on the vibration response of structures has been, in the last decades, an important research area in various engineering branches. It integrates knowledge from a variety of disciplines, such as mechanical and structural engineering, material science, computer science and signal processing, and data management. Based on this knowledge, methods and techniques able to tackle specific problems have been developed, but none of them fit a large range of applications. Development and implementation of versatile damage assessment instruments demand an in-deep understanding of the effect of damage on the dynamic behavior of structures. Therefore, new damage models able to accurately predict modal parameter changes for a multitude of vibration modes and subsequent damage indices are requested. Since damage recognition in its incipient stage is essential for reliable diagnosis, operational modal analysis including advanced signal processing is also of great importance.

This special issue aims to present original research and review articles regarding theoretical and methodological advances in various aspects of damage detection.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Damage models and indices
• Analytical and numerical modeling of structures with faults
• Early damage detection, location, and quantification
• Nondestructive testing and evaluation methods
• Diagnostics and prognostics of structural components and systems
• Optimal placement of excitation and sensors
• Advanced signal processing procedure for damage assessment
• Pattern recognition and statistical methods
• Experimental validation of damage models