An information-entropy-inspired optimal layout method for structural stress sensors of supersized open caissons

Abstract

The layout of sensors directly influences the effectiveness of structural stress monitoring of open caissons during the sinking process. In this study, an optimal layout method for structural stress sensors is proposed inspired by information entropy. The information gains of different sinking states from different layout locations of structural stress sensors are calculated, and the important layout locations are identified through the calculation of information gains. According to these important layout locations, the optimal sensor layout scheme is obtained. The proposed method was validated via an engineering case study of the Changtai Yangtze River Bridge Project. The results show that the proposed method successfully determined the optimal sensor layout scheme and that the number of required structural stress sensors decreases by 51.5% compared with the number of structural stress sensors deployed in the engineering case. With all R2 values greater than 0.96, the optimal scheme has high prediction accuracy for three sinking states: sinking speed, transverse height difference and longitudinal height difference. In addition, the spatial distribution of the important layout locations was identified. This study is meaningful for obtaining high-quality monitoring data of structural stress to both ensure the steady sinking of open caissons and reduce monitoring costs.