Determination of optimal sensor number and placement in structural health monitoring of bri̇dge-type structures using the jaya algorithm

In order to ensure the safety of bridges, a structural health monitoring (SHM) method has been developed, and this method provides early detection of possible damages by monitoring the changes in dynamic parameters. SHM, which is a non-destructive control method, allows continuous monitoring of bridges without disrupting transportation. In this thesis, a study was carried out on determining the optimum number and locations of sensors in order to increase the effectiveness of SHM systems in bridge-type structures. Placing the sensors in the correct number and location is of critical importance both in terms of increasing monitoring accuracy and optimizing cost and data density. In this direction, a computer program was created that allows determining the optimum number and locations of sensors, in which SAP2000-OAPI features and Jaya algorithm work effectively with MATLAB program. The mak-MAC, ort-MAC and rms-MAC methods derived from the modal assurance criterion were used as objective functions in the optimization process. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the created program, sensor placement optimization was performed on 17 and 77 element two-dimensional and 396 element three-dimensional steel truss bridge models. As an example, it was observed from the results obtained from the selected bridge models that it increased the sensor accuracy but after a certain point it decreased its contribution and increased the cost. With the created program, the optimum sensor placement (OSP) that gave the best performance was realized.