Hybrid optimization procedure applied to optimal location finding for piezoelectric actuators and sensors for active vibration control

This paper presents an efficient hybrid optimization approach using a new coupling technique for solving the constrained optimization problems. This methodology is based on genetic algorithm, sequential quadratic programming and particle swarm optimization combined with a projected gradient techniques in order to correct the solutions out of domain and send them to the domain's border. The established procedures have been successfully tested with some well known mathematical and engineering optimization problems, also the obtained results are compared with the existing approaches. It is clearly demonstrated that the solutions obtained by the proposed approach are superior to those of existing best solutions reported in the literature. The main application of this procedure is the location optimization of piezoelectric sensors and actuators for active control, the vibration of plates with some piezoelectric patches is considered. Optimization criteria ensuring good observability and controllability based on some main eigenmodes and residual ones are considered. Various rectangular piezoelectric actuators and sensors are used and two optimization variables are considered for each piezoelectric device: the location of its center and shape orientation. The applicability and effectiveness of the present methodological approach are demonstrated and the location optimization of multiple sensors and actuators are successfully obtained with some main modes and residual ones. The shape orientation optimization of sensors observing various modes as well as the local optimization of multiple sensors and actuators are numerically investigated. The effect of residual modes and the spillover reduction can be easily analyzed for a large number of modes and multiple actuators and sensors.