Optimal sensor placement for operational modal analysis of repetitive structures

Measurements in large repetitive structures are generally done in multiple setups, due to practical limitations. Several reference sensors are kept fixed during the entire measurement, while the other so called roving sensors are moved in different setups. Many buildings have a repetitive floor plan. This leads to the clustering of the natural frequencies of floor modes with similar wavelength. When performing modal tests on such floors, it is important to position the sensors such that a proper distinction between these modes can be made. In this paper, an optimal sensor placement strategy that simultaneously optimizes the positions of the reference and roving sensors is proposed. The minimally required number of reference sensors and two strategies for positioning roving sensors are investigated. The research shows that the number of reference sensors is preferably at least equal to the number of modes to be identified. It is also shown that a uniform distribution of roving sensors over repetitive parts of the structure is superior to a cluster of roving sensors.

ISBN:9789073802940

Publication year:2016

BOF-keylabel:yes

IOF-keylabel:yes

Authors from:Higher Education