Optimal Sensor Placement based on MAC and SPGA Algorithms

In order to solve the problem on sensor optimization placement in the structural health monitoring (SHM) field, a new sensor optimization method is proposed based on the modal assurance criterion (MAC) and the single parenthood genetic algorithm (SPGA). First, the required sensor numbers are obtained by using the step accumulating method. The SPGA is used to place sensors, in which the binary coding is adopted to realize the genetic manipulation through gene exchange, gene shift and gene inversion. Then, the method is further simplified and improved for higher computation efficiency. Where, neither the individual diversity of initial population nor the immature convergence problem is required. Finally, a numerical example of 61 truss frame structure is used to assess the robustness of the proposed method. The illustrated results show that the new method is better than the improved genetic algorithm and the step accumulating method in the search capacity, computational efficiency and reliability.