An inverse thermal field problem based on noisy measurements: comparison of a genetic algorithm and the sequential function specification method

Draws a comparison between the use of a genetic algorithm and the sequential function specification method for the solution of a one-dimensional linear inverse thermal field problem, based on the use of noisy measurements. In solving this problem aims to estimate the value of a single constant convective heat transfer coefficient. Documents the findings that both approaches can provide estimates within 1 per cent of the target solution and that the sensitivity and robustness of each approach to measurement location, time step size and measurement errors are markedly different.