Optimal Sensor Placement Based on Fisher Information Matrix and Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm for Typical Tensile Membrane Structures

Large-amplitude and long-term vibration deformation under external environmental loads often occurs on tensile membrane structures. Proper sensor placement plays a vital role in effectively achieving the objectives of a structural health monitoring system. In order to optimize the sensor placement to identify the modal vibration parameters for tensile membrane structures, this paper proposes an optimal sensor placement method based on the Fisher information matrix (FIM) and improved random strategy discrete particle swarm optimization algorithm (IRSDPSO). Firstly, the structural modal order is selected by using the two-norm difference and trace change rate of FIM, and the number of sensors is determined based on the QR decomposition and MAC criterion. Secondly, an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm named IRSDPSO, which has the discrete characteristic, is proposed to arrange the placement of sensors. Finally, the convergence, stability and sensitivity are used to evaluate the effectiveness of optimal sensor placement results using a numerical modal test example of the plane bidirectional tensile membrane structure. The results show that the first nineteen modal frequencies can be accurately identified. This indicates that the proposed optimal sensor placement method can determine the number of sensors and arrange the placement of the sensors. The work is reasonable and feasible in the optimal sensor placement for the tensile membrane structure.