Dynamic moving load identification of laminated composite beams using a hybrid FE-TMDQ-GAs method

Abstract

In this study, dynamic moving load identification of laminated composite beams is performed by introducing a hybrid finite element (FE), time marching differential quadrature (TMDQ) and genetic algorithms (GAs) methods. The first-order shear deformation theory based equations of the beam are discretized in the space and time domains using the FE and TMDQ methods, respectively. Accuracy and efficiency of the TMDQ method for solving the problem are shown via comparing the results with the Newmark’s method. To simulate the measured responses for the load identification problem, random error is applied to the dynamic responses obtained from the finite element and time marching differential quadrature method under a given dynamic load. An objective function as a root mean square error between the calculated and measured responses is defined and the GAs is employed to minimize the function and identify the loading parameters. Applicability and usefulness of the proposed method are shown through solving some examples.