Application of direct/inverse analysis to evaluate the structure integrity of concrete. Part I. Formulation for thermo-mechanical properties determination

Inverse analyses (IA) is used to model heat-flow characteristics in a continuum composed of two media. The process solves iteratively an optional number of design parameters. The solution also includes, (a) simulation of equipment and operator error due to data capture, and (b) sensitivity analysis of thermo-mechanical parameters. The analysis models test sample, which is sandwiched between a heating element and a reference material (of known thermal conductivity). This model is then validated by analysing actual thermographs recorded at the steady-state condition, the mean variation of which is subsequently used for IA. IA can then be applied in order to determine the best estimate of the thermo-mechanical properties of the sample in a particular controlled state of integrity or damage.