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For the damage identification technique of civil structures, the reduction of the computational cost for methods based on the optimization algorithms is the most crucial step. In this study, a fast multi-stage method is developed that uses the multiple damage location assurance criterion and an improved differential evolution algorithm. In the new method, the suitable damage range is selected in different stages to reduce the computational cost of structural analysis. Five mutation operators are analysized not only in the basic differential evolution algorithm but also in the improved one. A new adaptive scaling factor with a segmented function is proposed which can operate the decay rate to avoid the premature phenomenon. The results of the study show that the precise locations and extents of structural damage are successfully realized. It is also shown that the multi-stage method using the improved differential evolution algorithm is substantially faster as compared to the basic one and can be used as an efficient and powerful measure of structural damage identification.