Optimization of structural damage localization through decentralized wireless sensors

The goal of this study is to develop an optimization algorithm using both theoretical and heuristic functions relating to the functional transition of wireless sensor system between active and inactive modes. The proposed algorithm tries to localize damage in a structure by monitoring abnormal increases in strain measurements from a group of wireless sensors. Initially, clustering technique provides an effective sensor placement within a structure. Sensor clustering also assigns a certain number of master sensors in each cluster so that they can constantly monitor the structural health of a structure. By adopting a voting system, a group of wireless sensors iteratively forages for a damage location as they can be activated as needed. Numerical simulation demonstrates that the newly developed searching algorithm implemented on wireless sensors successfully localizes stiffness damage in a plate through the local level reconfigurable function of smart sensors.