FE model updating based on hybrid genetic algorithm and its verification on numerical bridge model

Abstract

FE model-based dynamic analysis has been widely used to predict the dynamic characteristics of civil structures. In a physical point of view, an FE model is unavoidably different from the actual structure as being formulated based on extremely idealized engineering drawings and design data. The conventional model updating methods such as direct method and sensitivity-based parameter estimation are not flexible for model updating of complex and large structures. Thus, it is needed to develop a model updating method applicable to complex structures without restriction. The main objective of this paper is to present the model updating method based on the hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA) by combining the genetic algorithm as global optimization method and modified Nelder-Mead's Simplex method as local optimization method. This FE model updating method using HGA does not need the derivation of derivative function related to parameters and without application of complicated inverse analysis methods. In order to allow its application on diversified and complex structures, a commercial FEA tool is adopted to exploit previously developed element library and analysis algorithms. Moreover, an output-level objective function making use of measurement and analytical results is also presented to update simultaneously the stiffness and mass of the analysis model. The numerical examples demonstrated that the proposed method based on HGA is effective for the updating of the FE model of bridge structures.