This research program addresses the problem of anomaly detection and identification in solid mechanics. There are two objectives in this proposal. The first is to develop robust operational procedure for detecting mechanical anomalies in solids based on a continuous monitoring of surface strain measurements. The second is to develop a method of identifying the characteristics of the anomaly for the special case of a single growing crack or a system of microcracks. These objectives can be achieved by developing and using a new concept of signatures and testing the procedures using numerical experiments. The concept of signatures is related to the idea of path-independent integrals but are based on a discrete number of measurement points and hence are a-priori aimed at experimental implementations. The numerical experiments will use the Boundary Element Method (BEM). A technology of anomaly detection and identification would have various applications. For example, critical structures approaching their design service life may adopt this technology in order to have an early precursor of possible failure. This technology would also be an important ingredient in the development of intelligent structures where an efficient self-monitoring system is valuable.
