The Virtual Fields Method (VFM) is a technique aimed at processing full-field kinematic measurements to extract parameters driving
the mechanical behaviour of materials.
It can also potentially address the identification of load distribution, although this has not been attempted yet.
The main idea underlying the VFM is that if full-field measurements are available, then it is possible to use the principle of virtual work to solve
the inverse problem directly.
In this case, integrals including the strain fields are involved in the equations. These integrals can be approximated with the full-field measurements.
A brief description of the main features is given in the theory section.