Structural Shape Reconstruction through Modal Approach Using Strain Gages

Abstract

It is significant of the strain detection and shape reconstruction of flexible structures for guaranteeing the safe and reliable operation of large-scale and precision equipment, such as spacecraft, space station, satellite, et al. This paper presents a structural shape reconstruction method based on the modal approach using the real-time sensing strain data. Firstly, the displacement-strain transformation relationship is derived using a modal approach and the finite element method is used as a numerical analysis method. From the implementation point of view, the united simulation is employed by the software of MATLAB and ANSYS. Moreover, a plate flexible structure is regarded as the research object and the simulation of shape reconstruction is investigated. The simulation results show that the structural shape reconstruction method based on the modal approach is a novel strategy. Furthermore, the experiments are performed with strain gages and the reconstructed displacements are compared to the measured displacement data from laser displacement sensor. The error analysis is demonstrated and it is indicated that the modal approach based structural shape reconstruction method is an effective approach for structural displacement monitoring of flexible structures.