Defect Identification in Electrical Circuits via the Virtual Distortion Method. Part 1: Steady-state Case

Virtual Distortion Method, a numerical technique originally developed and applied to various optimization problems in structural mechanics, is adapted to DC/AC circuit analysis. Electro-mechanical analogies with discrete models of plain truss structures are utilized to introduce and implement the main concepts of the method. Simulation of conductance modifications in circuit elements by the equivalent set of virtual sources is a foundation of numerically effective algorithms enabling fast re-analysis and sensitivity analysis. Inverse problem of defect identification is discussed and solution based on distortion approach is provided.