A general method for the solution of inverse heat conduction problems with partially unknown system geometries

An auxiliary problem is introduced in the solution of inverse heat conduction problems with geometries not fully specified. Resolving the position of the unknown boundary subject to a Dirichlet condition leads to the solution of a nonlinear algebraic equation. Imposing Neumann or Robin conditions at the unknown boundary requires the solution of a first-order nonlinear, ordinary differential equation. The method yields accurate results for exact data, while measurement errors render the Neumann problem insoluble. The Dirichlet and Robin problems are still solvable, and for these problems, the errors in the investigated boundaries increase with their depth, a nature of the problem being investigated.