A Novel Hybrid Whale-Chimp Optimization Algorithm for Structural Damage Detection

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The innovation of this work is weak, and it belongs to the practice-oriented paper. the study is not rigorous, and the derived conclusions are rather obvious and only based on a single non-representative case. The innovative contribution of this paper with respect to the state of the art should be emphasized.

Many literatures have been reviewed in the paper, but less critical. In other words, you should clearly explain what contribution that has been made by former research and, in particular, what limitation /weakness that exists in each previous research. You should identify the gap of the knowledge from the review of the previous research to justify the significance of YOUR current research topic.

The modelling approach, design parameters, code provisions and design criteria should be more elaborated. The numerical models should be outlined, the structural system, geometry and cross sections, material constitutive model, boundary condition, connection details and modelling, validation of the numerical model should be discussed. Moreover, the analysis methods, loads, mathematical modelling for the different components, the vibration characteristics, natural frequencies, and vibration modes of the effective fundamental modes should be discussed.

There is lack of discussion on the results which are illustrated by graphs.

The conclusions should be extended with more discussion regarding the results, and future development. This paper has lack of novelty and science contribution.

Author Response

Response to reviewers

Manuscript No. applsci-1895204

Authors: Zhen Chen*, Kun Zhang, Tommy H.T. Chan, Xiaoke Li*, Shunbo Zhao

Title: A novel hybrid whale-chimp optimization algorithm for structural damage detection

 

To the Reviewer #1:

General Comments:

The innovation of this work is weak, and it belongs to the practice-oriented paper. the study is not rigorous, and the derived conclusions are rather obvious and only based on a single non-representative case. The innovative contribution of this paper with respect to the state of the art should be emphasized.

First of all, we would like to thank you so much for your helpful suggestions which help us improve the paper. The revisions to address your comments are colored in red for your perusal.

 

Specific Comments:

1. Many literatures have been reviewed in the paper, but less critical. In other words, you should clearly explain what contribution that has been made by former research and, in particular, what limitation /weakness that exists in each previous research. You should identify the gap of the knowledge from the review of the previous research to justify the significance of YOUR current research topic.

Response: Thank you very much for your helpful suggestion. Please refer to Page 2 (Line 58 to Line 61), Page 3 to Page 4 (Line 108 to Line 110) and Page 4 (Line 112 to Line 117) of the revised manuscript for the corresponding change in the text.

2. The modelling approach, design parameters, code provisions and design criteria should be more elaborated. The numerical models should be outlined, the structural system, geometry and cross sections, material constitutive model, boundary condition, connection details and modelling, validation of the numerical model should be discussed. Moreover, the analysis methods, loads, mathematical modelling for the different components, the vibration characteristics, natural frequencies, and vibration modes of the effective fundamental modes should be discussed.

Response: Thanks for your comments. Please refer to Page 13 (Line 371 to Line 373), Page 14 (Line 383 to Line 387) and Page 17 (Line 464 to Line 466) of the revised manuscript for the corresponding change in the text.

3. The conclusions should be extended with more discussion regarding the results, and future development.

Response: That’s a very good suggestion. Please refer to Page 21 (Line 544 to Line 548) of the revised manuscript for the corresponding change in the text.

For actual structures, the influence of external environmental factors such as temperature and humidity on the modal parameters of the structure is sometimes even greater than the effect of noise. Therefore, the proposed method still needs to consider environmental influences to be better applied to the actual structure. In addition, the parameters of the W-ChOA need to be further refined for appropriate application in the field of structural damage detection.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

A hybrid optimization technique to detect structural damage is developed in this paper. In my understanding, the proposed technique seeks to improve the success of the Chimp optimization approach by augmenting it with the Whale optimization approach. The proposed technique is illustrated using two numerical examples: a two-story frame model, and a single-span beam model.

In my opinion, the paper could be improved as follows:

1.       Clarify in the examples how damage was simulated. This is explained earlier in the paper, but I think it would be good to clarify in each example how this was done (i.e. by reducing the stiffness of an element or elements).

 

2.       Expand the conclusions section to include a discussion on the implications of the proposed technique to structural health monitoring of buildings and bridges and to identify areas for future research. As it now reads, in my opinion the conclusions section is too brief and does not address future research needs or implications.

Author Response

Response to reviewers

Manuscript No. applsci-1895204

Authors: Zhen Chen*, Kun Zhang, Tommy H.T. Chan, Xiaoke Li*, Shunbo Zhao

Title: A novel hybrid whale-chimp optimization algorithm for structural damage detection

 

To the Reviewer #2:

General Comments:

A hybrid optimization technique to detect structural damage is developed in this paper. In my understanding, the proposed technique seeks to improve the success of the Chimp optimization approach by augmenting it with the Whale optimization approach. The proposed technique is illustrated using two numerical examples: a two-story frame model, and a single-span beam model.

First of all, we would like to thank you so much for your compliment and helpful suggestions which help us improve the paper. The revisions to address your comments are colored in red for your perusal.

Specific Comments:

In my opinion, the paper could be improved as follows:

1. Clarify in the examples how damage was simulated. This is explained earlier in the paper, but I think it would be good to clarify in each example how this was done (i.e. by reducing the stiffness of an element or elements).

Response: Thank you very much for your helpful suggestion. Please refer to Page 13 (Line 371 to Line 373), Page 14 (Line 383 to Line 387) and Page 17 (Line 464 to Line 466) of the revised manuscript for the corresponding change in the text.

2. Expand the conclusions section to include a discussion on the implications of the proposed technique to structural health monitoring of buildings and bridges and to identify areas for future research. As it now reads, in my opinion the conclusions section is too brief and does not address future research needs or implications.

Response: That’s a very good suggestion. Please refer to Page 21 (Line 544 to Line 548) of the revised manuscript for the corresponding change in the text.

For actual structures, the influence of external environmental factors such as temperature and humidity on the modal parameters of the structure is sometimes even greater than the effect of noise. Therefore, the proposed method still needs to consider environmental influences to be better applied to the actual structure. In addition, the parameters of the W-ChOA need to be further refined for appropriate application in the field of structural damage detection.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx