Optimal sensor location methodology for structural identification and damage detection

Theoretical and computational issues arising in the selection of the optimal sensor configuration in structural dynamics are addressed. The information entropy is introduced to measure the performance of a sensor configuration. Asymptotic estimates are used to rigorously justify that selections of optimal sensor configurations can be based solely on nominal structural models, ignoring the time history details of the measured data that are not available in the initial experimental design stage. Heuristic algorithms are proposed for constructing effective sensor configurations that are superior, in terms of computational efficiency and accuracy, to the sensor configurations provided by available algorithms suitable for solving general optimisation problems. The theoretical developments and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms are illustrated by designing the optimal configuration for an array of acceleration sensors placed on a bridge structure.