This paper proposes a computationally effective framework for load‐dependent optimal sensor placement in large‐scale civil engineering structures subjected to moving loads. Two common problems are addressed: selection of modes to be monitored and computational effectiveness. Typical sensor placement methods assume that the set of modes to be monitored is known. In practice, determination of such modes of interest is not straightforward. A practical approach is proposed that facilitates the selection of modes in a quasi‐automatic way based on the structural response at the candidate sensor locations to typical operational loads. The criterion used to assess sensor placement is based on Kammer's Effective Independence (EFI). However, in contrast to typical implementations of EFI, which treat the problem as a computationally demanding discrete problem and use greedy optimization, an approach based on convex relaxation is proposed. A notion of sensor density is applied, which converts the original combinatorial problem into a computationally tractable continuous optimization problem. The proposed framework is tested in application to a real tied‐arch railway bridge located in central Poland.

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Oj Increasing E in 15 Voltage [V] io 15 Voltage IV] ao 56 '23 ABSTRACTThe main disadvantage of PV panels is their low efficiency and non-linear current-voltage characteristic. Both of the above depend on the insolation and the temperature. That is why, it is necessary to use the maximum power point search systems. Commonly used solutions vary not only in complexity and accuracy but also in the speed of searching the maximum power point. Usually, the measurement of current and voltage is used to determine the maximum power point. The most common in literature are the perturb and observe and incremental conductance methods. The disadvantage of these solutions is the need to search across the whole current-voltage curve, which results in a significant power loss. In order to prevent it, the techniques mentioned above are combined with other methods. This procedure determines the starting point of one of the above methods and results in shortening the search time. Modern solutions use the temperature measurement to determine the open circuit voltage. The simulations show that the voltage in the maximum power point depends mainly on the temperature of the photovoltaic panel, and the current depends mainly on the lighting conditions. The proposed method uses the measurement of illuminance and calculates the current at the maximum power point, which is used as a reference signal in power conversion system. Due to the non-linearity of the light sensor and of the photovoltaic panel, the relation between them cannot be determined directly. Therefore, the proposed method use the modified correlation function to calculate current corresponding to the light.

The aim of this research is to present a new concept of adaptive crashworthiness system. Main objectives of the proposed system are to predict, control and adjust the impact characteristics to various conditions by decreasing the pre-designed crushing stiffness of the vehicle frontal deformation zone. According to the initial pre-crash parameters (velocity, mass, stiffness and overlap) the prospective system can select proper crushing force. In most basic approach each absorber has two levels of the crushing stiffness -high and low. De-stiffening feature is driven by pyrotechnic detachable connectors integrated in the frontal car structure, which can be destroyed causing disconnection of selected structural members, excluding them from the energy dissipation process. Pyrotechnical stiffness control can be activated in a very short time, sufficient to act during typical road accidents. Among other things, the presented idea can be used to solve mass compatibility problems. Results presented in this paper show that adaptive frontal structure can help in crash performance optimization, by adjusting system properties to the various conditions of impact scenario. Decrease of the front-end crash stiffness of a striking vehicle and extension of the crushing distance can decrease occupant risk through limited side intrusion and improved deceleration pulse shape, comparing to passive systems. Detailed procedures of the crash structural control are shown. Results of simulations performed in explicit finite element code and the experimental results are demonstrated. Sensing technology is not discussed.

Photovoltaic panels have a non-linear current-voltage characteristics to produce the maximum power at only one point called the maximum power point. In the case of the uniform illumination a single solar panel shows only one maximum power, which is also the global maximum power point. In the case an irregularly illuminated photovoltaic panel many local maxima on the power-voltage curve can be observed and only one of them is the global maximum. The proposed algorithm detects whether a solar panel is in the uniform insolation conditions. Then an appropriate strategy of tracking the maximum power point is taken using a decision algorithm. The proposed method is simulated in the environment created by the authors, which allows to stimulate photovoltaic panels in real conditions of lighting, temperature and shading.

This contribution reviews the challenges in adaptive self-protection of structures. A proper semi-active control strategy can significantly increase structural ability to absorb impact-type loads and damp the resulting vibrations. Discussed systems constitute a new class of smart structures capable of a real-time identification of loads and vibration patterns, followed by a low-cost optimum absorption of the energy by structural adaptation. Given the always surging quest for safety, such systems have a great potential for practical applications (in landing gears, road barriers, space structures, etc.). Compared to passive systems, their better performance can be attributed to the paradigm of self-adaptivity, which is ubiquitous in nature, but still sparsely applied in structural engineering. Being in the early stages of development, their ultimate success depends on a concerted effort in facing a number of challenges. This contribution discusses some of the important problems, including these of a conceptual, technological, methodological and software engineering nature.