Applications of hybrid optimization techniques for model updating of rotor shafts

This paper presents an approach by combining the genetic algorithm (GA) with simulated annealing (SA) algorithm for enhancing finite element (FE) model updating. The proposed algorithm has been applied to two typical rotor shafts to test the superiority of the technique. It also gives a detailed comparison of the natural frequencies and frequency response functions (FRFs) obtained from experimental modal testing, the initial FE model and FE models updated by GA, SA, and combination of GA and SA (GA–SA). The results concluded that the GA, SA, and GA–SA are powerful optimization techniques which can be successfully applied to FE model updating, but the appropriate choice of the updating parameters and objective function is of great importance in the iterative process. Generally, the natural frequencies and FRFs obtained from FE model updated by GA–SA show the best agreement with experiments than those obtained from the initial FE model and FE models updated by GA and SA independently.