Search results

1 – 10 of over 1000
Article
Publication date: 1 April 2005

Rainald Löhner and Fernando Camelli

Develop a method for the optimal placement of sensors in order to detect the largest number of contaminant release scenarios with the minimum amount of sensors.

Abstract

Purpose

Develop a method for the optimal placement of sensors in order to detect the largest number of contaminant release scenarios with the minimum amount of sensors.

Design/methodology/approach

The method considers the general sensor placement problem. Assuming a given number of sensors, every release scenario leads to a sensor input. The data recorded from all the possible release scenarios at all possible sensor locations allow the identification of the best or optimal sensor locations. Clearly, if only one sensor is to be placed, it should be at the location that recorded the highest number of releases. This argument can be used recursively by removing from further consideration all releases already recorded by sensors previously placed.

Findings

The method developed works well. Examples showing the effect of different wind conditions and release locations demonstrate the effectiveness of the procedure.

Practical implications

The method can be used to design sensor systems for cities, subway stations, stadiums, concert halls, high value residential areas, etc.

Originality/value

The method is general, and can be used with other physics‐based models (puff, mass‐conservation, RANS, etc.). The investigation also shows that first‐principles CFD models have matured sufficiently to be run in a timely manner on PCs, opening the way to optimization based on detailed physics.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 22 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 November 2017

Masoud Seyed Sakha and Hamid Reza Shaker

One of the fundamental problems in control systems engineering is the problem of sensors and actuators placement. Decisions in this context play a key role in the success of…

Abstract

Purpose

One of the fundamental problems in control systems engineering is the problem of sensors and actuators placement. Decisions in this context play a key role in the success of control process. The methods developed for optimal placement of the sensors and actuators are known to be computationally expensive. The computational burden is significant, in particular, for large-scale systems. The purpose of this paper is to improve and extend the state-of-the-art methods within this field.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a new technique is developed for placing sensor and actuator in large-scale systems by using restricted genetic algorithm (RGA). RGA is a kind of genetic algorithm which is developed specifically for sensors and actuator placement.

Findings

Unlike its other counterparts, the proposed method not only supports unstable systems but also requires significantly lower computations. The numerical investigations have confirmed the advantages of the proposed methods which are clearly significant, in particular, in dealing with large-scale unstable systems.

Originality/value

The proposed method is novel, and compared to the methods which have already been presented in literature is more general and numerically more efficient.

Article
Publication date: 5 April 2024

Felipe Sales Nogueira, João Luiz Junho Pereira and Sebastião Simões Cunha Jr

This study aims to apply for the first time in literature a new multi-objective sensor selection and placement optimization methodology based on the multi-objective Lichtenberg…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to apply for the first time in literature a new multi-objective sensor selection and placement optimization methodology based on the multi-objective Lichtenberg algorithm and test the sensors' configuration found in a delamination identification case study.

Design/methodology/approach

This work aims to study the damage identification in an aircraft wing using the Lichtenberg and multi-objective Lichtenberg algorithms. The former is used to identify damages, while the last is associated with feature selection techniques to perform the first sensor placement optimization (SPO) methodology with variable sensor number. It is applied aiming for the largest amount of information about using the most used modal metrics in the literature and the smallest sensor number at the same time.

Findings

The proposed method was not only able to find a sensor configuration for each sensor number and modal metric but also found one that had full accuracy in identifying delamination location and severity considering triaxial modal displacements and minimal sensor number for all wing sections.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates for the first time in the literature how the most used modal metrics vary with the sensor number for an aircraft wing using a new multi-objective sensor selection and placement optimization methodology based on the multi-objective Lichtenberg algorithm.

Article
Publication date: 26 October 2021

Djamila Cherid, Nouredine Bourahla, Mohamed Said Laghoub and Anis Mohabeddine

Despite the fast progress in structural health monitoring (SHM), the efficient use in practice of emerging techniques for large civil engineering structures is still a challenge…

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the fast progress in structural health monitoring (SHM), the efficient use in practice of emerging techniques for large civil engineering structures is still a challenge. This paper outlines a practical framework to optimize both the number and the locations of sensors to measure frequency response functions (FRFs) that will be processed and used to predict the location and the damage level in a model of an existing suspension bridge.

Design/methodology/approach

Sensors number and placement (SNPO) procedure is proposed and carried out on a 3D FE model of the 502 m long Oued Dib suspension bridge (Algeria) to determine the degrees of freedom (DOFs) that will receive the sensors. For this purpose, accessible candidate positions on the model are first determined and then reduced by taking the DOFs with the lowest values of the Fisher information matrix (FIM) associated with each of the DOFs taken individually. A genetic algorithm with an objective function equal to the square root of the sum of the squares of the non-diagonal elements of the MAC matrix and a mutation function that allows increasing and decreasing the number of the chromosomes (sensors) of the individuals showed stable convergence to optimal solutions. FRFs at sensor positions generated from the 3D FE model and altered with artificial noise to simulate experimental conditions have been used to constitute a database to train and test a feed-forward neural network.

Findings

A framework for SHM integrating a genetic algorithm to optimize both the number and placement of the sensors on the structure.

Research limitations/implications

The procedure can be applied only for single predefined/potential damage detection.

Practical implications

The evidence from this study suggests that the proposed procedure provides a consistent framework to implement a SHM scheme for existing large infrastructures.

Social implications

Vital infrastructures require special structural protection that can be achieved through effective SHM. This study contributes to the deployment of SHM for existing civil engineering structures.

Originality/value

In addition to the integrated SHM framework proposed in this study, the latter includes an efficient genetic algorithm capable to optimize both the number and the placement of the sensors.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 April 2024

Rafiu King Raji, Jian Lin Han, Zixing Li and Lihua Gong

At the moment, in terms of both research and commercial products, smart shoe technology and applications seem not to attract the same magnitude of attention compared to smart…

Abstract

Purpose

At the moment, in terms of both research and commercial products, smart shoe technology and applications seem not to attract the same magnitude of attention compared to smart garments and other smart wearables such as wrist watches and wrist bands. The purpose of this study is to fill this knowledge gap by discussing issues regarding smart shoe sensing technologies, smart shoe sensor placements, factors that affect sensor placements and finally the areas of smart shoe applications.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a review of relevant literature, this study first and foremost attempts to explain what constitutes a smart shoe and subsequently discusses the current trends in smart shoe applications. Discussed in this study are relevant sensing technologies, sensor placement and areas of smart shoe applications.

Findings

This study outlined 13 important areas of smart shoe applications. It also uncovered that majority of smart shoe functionality are physical activity tracking, health rehabilitation and ambulation assistance for the blind. Also highlighted in this review are some of the bottlenecks of smart shoe development.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review paper focused on smart shoe applications, and therefore serves as an apt reference for researchers within the field of smart footwear.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2017

Roman Ruzek, Martin Kadlec, Konstantinos Tserpes and Evaggelos Karachalios

Compression is critical loading condition for composite airframes. Compression behaviour of structures with or without damages is a weak point for composite fuselage panels. This…

Abstract

Purpose

Compression is critical loading condition for composite airframes. Compression behaviour of structures with or without damages is a weak point for composite fuselage panels. This is one of the reasons for need of continuous in-service health monitoring of composite structures. The purpose of this paper is to characterize the compression panel behaviour on the base of a developed and implemented structural health monitoring (SHM) system.

Design/methodology/approach

The SHM system based on fibre optic Bragg grating (FOBG) sensors and standard resistance strain gauges (SGs) was placed onto/into (embedded or bonded) three stiffened carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) fuselage panels. The FOBG sensor system was used to monitor the structural integrity of the reference, impacted, and fatigued panels under compression loading. Both barely visible impact damage and visible impact damage were created to evaluate their influence on the panel behaviour. The functionality of the SHM system was verified through mechanical testing.

Findings

Experimental data showed the presence of impact damages significantly changes the buckling modes development and deformation behaviour of the panels. Some differences between the optical and SG sensors during buckling were observed. The buckling waves and failure development were very well indicated during loading by all sensors located on the panel surface but not by the embedded sensors. Good agreement between the data from the SGs and FOBG sensors was achieved for all sensors placed on the stringers, which did not buckle. The good reliability of FOBG sensors during the fatigue and static testing up to panel failure was verified.

Originality/value

The paper gives information about different buckling behaviour of CFRP fuselage stiffened panels in compression. The paper gives detailed information about measured signals from different sensors based on their location on/in the panel structure for realistic loading scenario of composite aerostructures. The paper gives an integrated overview of sensors placement considering possibilities to predicate structure behaviour.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 September 2015

Peng Li, Yuhua Wang, Jingru Hu and Jianmin Zhou

– The purpose of this study which resulted in this work is to propose an optimization method of sensors distribution for structural impact localization.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study which resulted in this work is to propose an optimization method of sensors distribution for structural impact localization.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a multi-objective optimization study of a novel sensors distribution technique, where two optimization objective functions are considered: sensors number and sensors location optimization performance index. In addition, the finite element analysis, the time-frequency transform and the principal component analysis are combined to quantize the above objective functions. The non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) is used to acquire Pareto solutions.

Findings

The effectiveness of this method is validated through a prototype laboratory called the piezoelectric intelligent structure where promising results are obtained.

Originality/value

An optimization method of this novel sensors distribution technique is built and produced a set of efficiency solutions for the real-world problem of impact localization where two conflicting objectives are involved.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 January 2022

Yuyu Hao, Shugang Li and Tianjun Zhang

This paper aims to propose a deployment optimization and efficient synchronous acquisition method for compressive stress sensors used by stress distribution law research based on…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a deployment optimization and efficient synchronous acquisition method for compressive stress sensors used by stress distribution law research based on the genetic algorithm and numerical simulations. The authors established a new method of collecting the mining compressive stress-strain distribution data to address the problem of the number of sensors and to optimize the sensor locations in physical similarity simulations to improve the efficiency and accuracy of data collection.

Design/methodology/approach

First, numerical simulations were used to obtain the compressive stress distribution curve under specific mining conditions. Second, by comparing the mean square error between a fitted curve and simulation data for different numbers of sensors, a genetic algorithm was used to optimize the three-dimensional (3D) spatial deployment of sensors. Third, the authors designed an efficient synchronous acquisition module to allow distributed sensors to achieve synchronous and efficient acquisition of hundreds of data points through a built-in on-board database and a synchronous sampling communication structure.

Findings

The sensor deployment scheme was established through the genetic algorithm, A synchronous and selective data acquisition method was established for reduced the amount of sensor data required under synchronous acquisition and improved the system acquisition efficiency. The authors obtained a 3D compressive stress distribution when the advancement was 200 m on a large-scale 3D physical similarity simulation platform.

Originality/value

The proposed method provides a new optimization method for sensor deployment in physical similarity simulations, which improves the efficiency and accuracy of system data acquisition, providing accurate acquisition data for experimental data analysis.

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2021

Gursans Guven and Esin Ergen

The purpose of this study is to monitor the progress of construction activities in an automated way by using sensor-based technologies for tracking multiple resources that are…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to monitor the progress of construction activities in an automated way by using sensor-based technologies for tracking multiple resources that are used in building construction.

Design/methodology/approach

An automated on-site progress monitoring approach was proposed and a proof-of-concept prototype was developed, followed by a field experimentation study at a high-rise building construction site. The developed approach was used to integrate sensor data collected from multiple resources used in different steps of an activity. It incorporated the domain-specific heuristics that were related to the site layout conditions and method of activity.

Findings

The prototype estimated the overall progress with 95% accuracy. More accurate and up-to-date progress measurement was achieved compared to the manual approach, and the need for visual inspections and manual data collection from the field was eliminated. Overall, the field experiments demonstrated that low-cost implementation is possible, if readily available or embedded sensors on equipment are used.

Originality/value

Previous studies either monitored one particular piece of equipment or the developed approaches were only applicable to limited activity types. This study demonstrated that it is technically feasible to determine progress at the site by fusing sensor data that are collected from multiple resources during the construction of building superstructure. The rule-based reasoning algorithms, which were developed based on a typical work practice of cranes and hoists, can be adapted to other activities that involve transferring bulk materials and use cranes and/or hoists for material handling.

Details

Construction Innovation , vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 March 2021

Riyaz Ali Shaik and Elizabeth Rufus

This paper aims to review the shape sensing techniques using large area flexible electronics (LAFE). Shape perception of humanoid robots using tactile data is mainly focused.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to review the shape sensing techniques using large area flexible electronics (LAFE). Shape perception of humanoid robots using tactile data is mainly focused.

Design/methodology/approach

Research papers on different shape sensing methodologies of objects with large area, published in the past 15 years, are reviewed with emphasis on contact-based shape sensors. Fiber optics based shape sensing methodology is discussed for comparison purpose.

Findings

LAFE-based shape sensors of humanoid robots incorporating advanced computational data handling techniques such as neural networks and machine learning (ML) algorithms are observed to give results with best resolution in 3D shape reconstruction.

Research limitations/implications

The literature review is limited to shape sensing application either two- or three-dimensional (3D) LAFE. Optical shape sensing is briefly discussed which is widely used for small area. Optical scanners provide the best 3D shape reconstruction in the noncontact-based shape sensing; here this paper focuses only on contact-based shape sensing.

Practical implications

Contact-based shape sensing using polymer nanocomposites is a very economical solution as compared to optical 3D scanners. Although optical 3D scanners can provide a high resolution and fast scan of the 3D shape of the object, they require line of sight and complex image reconstruction algorithms. Using LAFE larger objects can be scanned with ML and basic electronic circuitory, which reduces the price hugely.

Social implications

LAFE can be used as a wearable sensor to monitor critical biological parameters. They can be used to detect shape of large body parts and aid in designing prosthetic devices. Tactile sensing in humanoid robots is accomplished by electronic skin of the robot which is a prime example of human–machine interface at workplace.

Originality/value

This paper reviews a unique feature of LAFE in shape sensing of large area objects. It provides insights from mechanical, electrical, hardware and software perspective in the sensor design. The most suitable approach for large object shape sensing using LAFE is also suggested.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 48 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

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