In this paper, a two-stepped structural damage detection method is proposed. In the first step (damage localization), structural elements that are possibly damaged are located using modal residual force method. In the second step (damage extent evaluation), the extent of damage of the structural elements that are identified in the first step will be evaluated. Using numerical simulations, results of damage detection of a chain model and a vibrating rod using different detection techniques are obtained and discussed. It is pointed out that the model used for damage detection must well represent the dynamic system of interest in order to obtain reliable resu1ts of damage detection. The applicability of the proposed two-stepped damage detection method is demonstrated by considering damage detection of a simulated truss structure.