Optimal Sensor Placement for Spatial Structure Based on Importance Coefficient and Randomness

The current methods of optimal sensor placement are majorly presented based on modal analysis theory, lacking the consideration of damage process of the structure. The effect of different minor damage cases acting on the total spatial structure is studied based on vulnerability theory in structural analysis. The concept of generalized equivalent stiffness is introduced and the importance coefficient of component is defined. For numerical simulation, the random characteristics for both structural parameters and loads are considered, and the random samples are established. The damage path of each sample is calculated and all the important members on the damage failure path are listed; therefore the sensor placement scheme is determined according to the statistical data. This method is extended to dynamic analysis. For every dynamic time-history analysis, time-varying responses of the structure are calculated by selecting appropriate calculating interval and considering the randomness of structural parameters and load. The time-varying response is analyzed and the importance coefficient of members is sorted; finally the dynamic sensor placement scheme is determined. The effectiveness of the method in this paper is certified by example