Damage identification based on XFEM: inverse analysis and experimental validation

Model‐based inverse analyses emerge as an alternative means to reconstruct buried objects in structures. In this paper, we introduced an inverse analysis using XFEM and adjoint method to identify the cracks, which is based on laboratory experimental data. XFEM model allows precisely reproducing the crack forms in the structures, whilst adjoint state with level set for inverse problem allows calculating the gradient of complex geometrical structures and avoiding the local minima traps. Besides proposing a modification XFEM to model reinforced concrete behaviors, we also establish the adjoint formulas for inverse analysis based on the measured displacement and strain in the experiments. Finally, the preliminary results are verified with experimental data.