Finite Element Based Material Property Identification Utilizing Full-Field Deformation Measurements

A direct approach based on finite element formulation is described to determine material property distribution in a nominally heterogeneous material subject to tensile/compression loading. The formulation is developed for plane stress applications using basic theoretical constructs, resulting in a computational framework that has a matrix form [A] {E} = {F}, where the [A] matrix components are known functions of measured strain components and nodal coordinates, {F} components are known functions of body forces, applied loads and reactions and {E} components are the unknown material properties at discrete locations. A methodology for material property identification is outlined, involving measured strain components at discrete locations amid varying levels of random noise. The presented results illustrate the accuracy of the approach as well as it’s sensitivity to noise.