Inverse analysis of traction-separation relationship based on sequentially linear approach

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new numerically stable inverse analysis method based on sequentially linear analysis to identify traction-separation relationships in quasi-brittle materials from fracture test data.

Contribution

It presents a novel inverse analysis scheme that improves stability and versatility for determining traction-separation laws from experimental fracture data.

Findings

Method demonstrates high numerical stability.

Applicable to various fracture test configurations.

Effective in identifying traction-separation relationships.

Abstract

Traction-separation relationship is an important material characteristic describing the fracture behaviour of quasi-brittle solids. A new numerical scheme for identification of the traction-separation relation by inverse analysis of data obtained from various types of fracture tests is proposed. Due to employing the concept of sequentially linear analysis, the method exhibits a superior numerical stability and versatility. The applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated on examples involving identification of the traction-separation relationship using experimental data from various test configurations.