Optimal Sensor Placement for Bridge Modal Testing Based on EfI Method

To determine the optimal locations of sensors for testing of long span rigid truss and flexible arch steel bridge,the finite element model for the whole bridge of the bridge was built by the software ANSYS and the dynamic properties of the model were analyzed.By the criteria of the modal vector matrix and the effective independence(EfI) method,the tool box for the optimal placement of three-dimensional acceleration sensors was developed in the MATLAB environment and the tool box was applied to the optimal sensor placement for the bridge.At the same time,the modal testing for the model of the bridge structure was made to verify the rationality of the optimal sensor placement.The results of study indicate that the selected locations of the sensors can well fit vibrations modes of the bridge and the tool box for the optimal sensor placement based on the EfI method proves to be effective for the sensor placement for long span rigid truss and flexible arch steel bridge.