Optimal sensor positioning for impact localization in smart composite panels

Impacts can inflict critical consequences on composite structures; therefore, smart impact monitoring systems can be very helpful. A global optimisation of the piezoelectric sensors position for impact location identification is investigated in this article. The artificial neural networks and probabilistic analysis approach are used to define the objective function. Genetic algorithms are adopted to search for the optimal location of the sensors. The improved crossover and mutation functions are designed. The procedure is applied to a full-scale stiffened composite aircraft panel.