ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the applicability of a new state-of-the-art methodology, called inverse Finite Element Method (iFEM), for displacement and stress monitoring of offshore structures for the first time in the literature. Displacement and stress solutions obtained from iFEM analysis are compared to those of reference solutions. The iFEM algorithm reconstructs the structural deformations from experimentally measured strains by minimizing weighted-least-squares functional. Displacement and stress solutions obtained from iFEM analysis are compared to those of reference solutions. Displacement and stress monitoring of a stiffened thin-walled cylinder with a local damage is considered to be performed based on the iFEM methodology. The numerical results have confirmed that it is possible to reconstruct sufficiently accurate deformed structural shapes and stresses, even if a coarse iFEM mesh is used in the analysis. According to results, it has been agreed that iFEM methodology is promising technology for performing an accurate shape and stress sensing of offshore structures.
