An optimal sparse sensing approach for scanning point selection and response reconstruction in full-field structural vibration testing

Non-contact vibration measurements, such as 3D scanning laser Doppler vibrometry (3D SLDV), are becoming more prevalent in testing next-generation lightweight aerospace structures. This approach reduces the impact of attached sensors and improves measurement reliability. Acquiring precise measurement data for the whole area is feasible, albeit it would demand a considerable amount of time and storage space for testing. The concept of compressed sensing has been recently approved as an effective way to exploit signal sparsity and achieve full response reconstruction with very few measurements. The objective of this work is to enhance the efficiency of non-contact vibration testing by utilizing the state-of-the-art compressive sensing approach. In contrast to conventional sensor placement methods that rely on effective independence, modal kinetic energy, or modal assurance criterion matrix as targets, this paper proposes a novel sensor placement methodology from the perspective of dynamic response reconstruction. The scanning points are chosen with a minimal number to reduce testing time and are well-placed such that full-field vibration responses of the test structure can be reconstructed accurately. This allows for the spatially-detailed vibration responses to be obtained efficiently and accurately with optimal sparse sensing placement and effective response reconstruction through ℓ1 algorithm. Two case studies will be presented in this work to demonstrate and validate the methodology. The first case study is focused on a simplified cantilever beam using the numerical data from the FE analysis to demonstrate the methodology. The second case study is focused on using 3D SLDV experimental testing data from a full-scale industrial fan blade. Based on the results, it is evident that the proposed approach can significantly decrease the scanning points required for a full-field dynamic response reconstruction during full-field vibration testing.