Spatially regularized solution of inverse elasticity problems using the BEM

Abstract

Abstract This paper is concerned with solution by the boundary element method (BEM) of a certain class of inverse linear elastic problems using the spatial regularization method. More specifically, the problem of calculating the boundary and internal conditions on a deformed specimen given approximate information on the displacements at discrete ‘sensor locations’ in the specimen is discussed. The solution algorithm employs a sensitivity analysis and a least‐squares minimization of the difference between the calculated and measured displacements at each sensor location. The ideas presented here can be applied to contact problems where measurements of the deformation at the contact area are difficult.