Genetic Programming Based Identification of an Overhead Crane

Abstract Overhead cranes carry out an important function in the transportation of loads in industry. The ability to transport a payload quickly and accurately without excessive oscillations could reduce the chance of accidents as well as increase productivity. Accurate modelling of the crane system dynamics reduces the plant-model mismatch which could improve the performance of model-based controllers. In this work the simulation model to be identified is developed using the Euler-Lagrange method with friction. A 5-step ahead predictor, as well as a 10-step ahead predictor, are obtained using multi-gene genetic programming (MGGP) using input-output data. The weights of the genes are obtained by using least squares. The results of 15 different genetic programming runs are plotted on a complexity-mean square error graph with the Pareto optimal solutions shown.