The identification of cracks using boundary elements and evolutionary algorithms (Q5945892)

The paper deals with crack identification problem. This inverse problem is formulated as the minimization of objective functional given by squares of the difference between the measured and computed values of displacements or stresses at selected boundary points. The mechanical boundary value problem is solved by boundary element method using the dual formulation for crack problems. Both the classical (gradient methods) and evolutionary methods of identification are explained shortly. Various genetic algorithms are discussed for searching the feasible space solutions. Using algorithm of evolutionary identification, the authors perform identification of crack shape, crack position as well as the number of cracks. Finally, the authors discuss hybrid methods of identification based on the combination of classical gradient and evolutionary methods.