Keywords: structural test, actuator placement, multi-objective optimization, evolutionary algorithms, gradient-based optimization.

The design of structural testing devices often proves to be a complex technical issue. One of the key questions is how a limited number of force actuators have to be attached to a specimen in order to achieve a desired stress or strain state in the test area. An intuitive placement often does not lead to an optimal solution, which is particularly true for complex stress fields. To solve this problem, the present paper introduces an approach based on numerical optimization. For this purpose, both a global and a combination of local and global optimization methods were selected. The developed optimization framework has been applied to the simple problems of a tensile and a shear test. Since the optimal solutions for these test cases are known, the quality of the results can be easily assessed. It is shown that global optimization by means of evolutionary algorithms leads to very good results for the tensile test and can deal very well with the problem of the opposing goals of a low stress deviation and a low actuation force. In order to obtain the optimal solution to the shear test problem, a combined global and local optimization using evolution algorithms and a gradient-based algorithm has been applied. With this approach, the optimal solution can also be found for the shear test problem. The optimization process presented offers a promising basis for ongoing work on the optimal positioning of actuators on more complex real world structural testing devices.

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