Application of artificial neural networks to load identification

The intended aim of the study is to develope an approach to the identification of the loads acting on aircraft wings, which uses an artificial neural network to model the load-strain relationship in structural analysis. As the first step of the study, this paper describes the application of an artificial neural network to identify the loads distributed across a cantilevered beam. The distributed loads are approximated by a set of concentrated loads. The paper demonstrates that using an artificial neural network to identify loads is feasible and a well trained artificial neural network reveals an extremely fast convergence and a high degree of accuracy in the process of load identification for a cantilevered beam model. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.