A domain-extension method for quantitative detection of cavities by infrared scanning

A domain-extension method for quantitative detection of irregular-shape cavities inside irregular-shape bodies is presented. An auxiliary problem is introduced in the solution of the cavities. In the auxiliary problem, the original body domain at the cavity side is extended so that the original cavity walls become interior points. The position of the cavities can then be found by solving the temperature field in the extended domain and matching the temperatures and heat fluxes at the interior points to the conditions imposed on the cavities. A boundary-element method is used for the solution of the auxiliary problem, and by means of four examples, the accuracy of the domain extension method is established. The paper provides the details for the numerical solution of the cavities. Limitation of the method in the detection of multiple cavities is also explored. The domain-extension method has shown to be highly effective in quantitative detection of cavities in single-cavity bodies.