Optimal sensor placement based on relaxation sequential algorithm

Aiming at the large tension of the solution obtained by sequential algorithm for optimal sensor placement problem, a novel relaxation sequential algorithm is proposed by introducing the idea of edge relaxation operation of Dijkstra’s algorithm into sequential algorithm. An initial solution set is generated by sequential algorithm, and improved by relaxation till the relaxation operation terminates. The proposed algorithm takes modal assurance criterion (MAC) matrix as the objective fitness function. A truss structure and a rigid-framed arch bridge are applied as examples to verify the effectiveness of the new algorithm for optimal sensor placement. The result indicates that the relaxation sequential algorithm requires fewer sensors and can reach better maximum off-diagonal element of MAC matrix in OSP problem.