Investigation of the effect of modal analysis correlation on actuator/sensor positions for plate structures

Abstract

In this study, a mode combination approach is proposed to place actuator/sensor pairs according to the experimental modal analysis results. The method is carried out by combining modes using the weighting coefficients with a finite element package program. First, this approach is applied to four different structures presented in the previous works in literature to compare and verify. Our results demonstrate that the determined best locations overlap well with the published results. Then, this combination approach is applied to the steel plate with bolt connections on four sides to determine actuator/sensor (a/s) pairs’ placement accuracy, which is directly related to experimental/numerical modal correlation. For this purpose, three different cases varying by weighting coefficients are determined to show the modal correlation's effectiveness. Finally, the possible best a/s positions for three cases are compared. In conclusion, the presented mode combination approach is a fast and practical solution for determining a/s pairs’ placement, and the experimental/numerical modal analysis correlation directly affects the placement's success.