Inverse problem of estimating time-dependent heat generation in a frictional heated strip and foundation

In this study, an inverse algorithm based on the conjugate gradient method and the discrepancy principle is applied to estimate the unknown time-dependent frictional heat generation for the tribosystem consisting of a semi-infinite foundation and a plane-parallel strip sliding over its surface, from the knowledge of temperature measurements taken within the foundation. It is assumed that no prior information is available on the functional form of the unknown heat generation; hence the procedure is classified as the function estimation in inverse calculation. Results show that an excellent estimation on the time-dependent heat generation can be obtained for the test case considered in this study. The current methodology can be applied to the prediction of heat generation in engineering problems involving sliding-contact elements.