Operational Modal Analysis of a Ship Model in the Presence of Harmonic Excitation

A ship is operated under an extremely complex environment, and waves and winds are assumed to be the stochastic excitations. Moreover, the propeller, host and mechanical equipment can also induce the harmonic responses. In order to reduce structural vibration, it is important to obtain the modal parameters information of a ship. However, the traditional modal parameter identification methods are not suitable since the excitation information is difficult to obtain. Natural excitation technique-eigensystem realization algorithm （NExT-ERA） is an operational modal identification method which abstracts modal parameters only from the response signals, and it is based on the assumption that the input to the structure is pure white noise. Hence, it is necessary to study the influence of harmonic excitations while applying the NExT-ERA method to a ship structure. The results of this research paper indicate the practical experiences under ambient excitation, ship model experiments were successfully done in the modal parameters identification only when the harmonic frequencies were not too close to the modal frequencies.

Operational Mode Identification Based on Sliding Time Window Method and Eigensystem Realization Algorithm

The identification result of operational mode is eurychoric while operational mode identification is investigated under ambient excitation,which is influenced by the signal size and the time interval.The operational mode identification method,which is based on the sliding time window method and the eigensystem realization algorithm(ERA),is investigated to improve the identification accuracy and stability.Firstly,the theory of the ERA method is introduced.Secondly,the strategy for decomposition and implementation is put forward,including the sliding time window method and the filtration method of modes.At last,an example is studied,where the model of a cantilever beam is built and the white noise exciting is input.Results show that the operational mode identification method can realize the modes,and has high robustness to the signal to noise ratio and signal size.

Stability Study of Cable-Suspended Stewart Platform

The control stability of the end manipulator of a cable-suspended Stewart platform in disturbance was studied by combination of the multi-body system dynamics and control theory and the eigensystem realization algorithm （ERA）. The corresponding closodloop vibration control strategies were suggested based on position prediction with PD （proportional plus derivative ） control. Numerical simulation was made on a scale model to study the vibration control effects of the stewart platform with flexible suspension, including system response to step load, system response to cyclic load, and instability. Then, experiments for Stewart platform with cable suspension were designed to study the actual control effects and validate the validity of numerical simulation. The results show that the experimental results agree with the simulation results well, and the the system has a fairly good control effect to the end manipulator. Therefore, a preliminary conclusion can be made that it is feasible using the Stewart platform as the vibration control platform of the flexible support system, by position prediction of the base platform and PD feedback control law.

A hierarchical analytical model for performance management of integrated logistics

In this paper,a holistic hierarchical analytical model is proposed to assess the performance of enablers in an integrated logistics system.Due to the ambiguous and complex environment,various refinements are needed to assess enablers and prioritize for the criteria such as economic,operational,and environment.The proposed hierarchical model is developed by a systematic approach that includes fuzzy analytical hierarchy process(FAHP),triangular fuzzy numbers(TFN),an evidential reasoning algorithm(ERA),and expected utility theory(EUT).The FAHP is used to analyze and obtain the weights of the criteria by considering the expert’s opinions.ERA is used to synthesize the enablers based on the selected criteria.These enablers are represented using subjective assessment along with a set of evaluation grades for a qualitative attribute.EUT helps in obtaining crisp values of enablers for their performance estimation.With these set of methodologies,a hierarchical model is proposed that prevent low flexibility and inadequate appropriateness of the proposed model.Further,the model helps in scenario generation for the logistics professionals who are facing various problems in integrating logistics and incorporating sustainability due to lack of appropriate methodologies and evaluation techniques.Finally,sensitivity analysis is used for overall model validation.

Ambient vibration testing and updating of the finite element model of a simply supported beam bridge

An ambient vibration test on a concrete bridge constructed in 1971 and calibration of its finite element model are presented.The bridge is characterized by a system of post-tensioned and simply supported beams.The dynamic characteristics of the bridge,i.e.natural frequencies,mode shapes and damping ratios were computed from the ambient vibration tests by using the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm(ERA).Then,these characteristics were used to update the finite element model of the bridge by formulating an optimization problem and then using Genetic Algorithms(GA)to solve it.From the results of the ambient vibration test of this type of bridge,it is concluded that two-dimensional mode shapes exist:in the longitudinal and transverse;and these experimentally obtained dynamic characteristics were also achieved in the analytical model through updating.The application of GAs as optimization techniques showed great versatility to optimize any number and type of variables in the model.