The present work is concerned with experimental investigations on changes in modal parameters due to a physical change in a structure. A method of non destructive assessment of the integrity of specimens made of fiber-reinforced composites using measurements of modal parameters is described. The vibration response of these glass reinforced polyester laminates in the form of cantilever beams is investigated. The experimental program includes mechanical and modal tests on the laminated composite beams in the undamaged state and in two or three additional states of progressive damage produced by loading the specimen to 60, 70 and 80% of the ultimate strength. At each stage of damage, dye penetrant tests were carried out to determine the crack density along the length of the beam. The natural frequencies, damping ratios and mode shapes were identified by impact excitation as the damage accumulated. Changes in the Young's modulus also were correlated with the amount of crack damage. The tests were conducted on three types of glass reinforced plastic specimens namely laminates with random mat, woven roving mat and unidirectional mat. In all the above types of specimens, it is found that the natural frequencies decrease by about 9% for the 80% damaged state. The increase in damping ratio is much higher, as high as 98% for the same state of damage. the decrease in Young's modulus in the longitudinal direction is of the order of 20%. Changes in mode shapes are barely perceptible except for localized damages. Measurements of these changes in vibration responses show promise as a means of non-destructively testing the structural integrity of fiber-reinforced composite structural members.