OPTIMAL EXPERIMENTAL-DESIGN FOR ESTIMATING THERMAL-PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE-MATERIALS

Design of optimal transient experiments is needed for the efficient es timation of thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity of compo site materials. One criterion for optimal experiments is the minimizat ion of the area (or volume) of the confidence region. The experimental designs are transient and involve both finite and semi-finite geometr ies with finite duration heating. Two cases are considered for the fin ite body: one-dimensional heat conduction within cured composite mater ials and one-dimensional heat conduction within composite materials un dergoing curing. The optimal dimensionless heating and experimental ti mes at the heated boundary and the optimal location of the temperature s sensors are determined.