DIRECT SENSITIVITY COEFFICIENT METHOD FOR SOLVING 2-DIMENSIONAL INVERSE HEAT-CONDUCTION PROBLEMS BY FINITE-ELEMENT SCHEME

A simple, but versatile, algorithm called the direct sensitivity coeff icient (DSC) method has been developed to deal with multidimensional i nverse heat conduction (IHC) problems Different sensitivity coefficien ts have been used to assess the physical responses of the domain consi dered under unit loading conditions. The concept of the finite-element discretization has been applied to evaluate the global responses unde r total loading conditions. The method developed is capable of dealing with unknown surface heat flux surface temperature, heat transfer coe fficient, or any combination of them. In this article the formulation as well as the theory adopted is discussed. The finite-element procedu res for solving a two-dimensional steady-state problem are specificall y illustrated. Analysis for several selected benchmark problems is the n presented, emphasizing accuracy estimations. Both linear and nonline ar problems are considered. Recommendations for further work are also included in this article.