The Design of Experiments for Inverse Thermal Analysis

Abstract A procedure is demonstrated for the design of experiments within inverse thermal analyses, such as those used to estimate surface boundary conditions in quenching. The procedure involves computational modelling to support design decisions concerning thermocouple locations, sampling rate, and post-processing of measured data. The procedure also provides a framework into which detailed models of thermocouple operation can be inserted. The method is demonstrated via the estimation of a non-linear convective boundary condition in a quenching process in which the measurement process is modelled to allow the effects of measurement noise and other parameters to be assessed. Having carried out the inverse analysis using a combined genetic algorithm - finite element model, estimated boundary conditions are in good agreement with those specified in the measurement model.