A computational method for the load spectra of large-scale structures with a data-driven learning algorithm

For complex engineering systems, such as trains, planes, and offshore oil platforms, load spectra are cornerstone of their safety designs and fault diagnoses. We demonstrate in this study that well-orchestrated machine learning modeling, in combination with limited experimental data, can effectively reproduce the high-fidelity, history-dependent load spectra in critical sites of complex engineering systems, such as high-speed trains. To meet the need for in-service monitoring, we propose a segmentation and randomization strategy for long-duration historical data processing to improve the accuracy of our data-driven model for long-term load-time history prediction. Results showed the existence of an optimal length of subsequence, which is associated with the characteristic dissipation time of the dynamic system. Moreover, the data-driven model exhibits an excellent generalization capability to accurately predict the load spectra for different levels of passenger-dedicated lines. In brief, we pave the way, from data preprocessing, hyperparameter selection, to learning strategy, on how to capture the nonlinear responses of such a dynamic system, which may then provide a unifying framework that could enable the synergy of computation and in-field experiments to save orders of magnitude of expenses for the load spectrum monitoring of complex engineering structures in service and prevent catastrophic fatigue and fracture in those solids.