Optimization algorithms for identification inverse problems with the boundary element method

In this paper the most suitable algorithms for unconstrained optimization now available applied to an identification inverse problem in elasticity using the boundary element method (BEM) are compared, Advantage is taken of the analytical derivative of the whole integral C, equation of the BEM with respect to the variation of the geometry, direct differentiation, which can be used to obtain the gradient of the cost function to be optimized. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.