Abstract

In this work we consider the inverse problem of the identification of a single rigid body immersed in a fluid governed by the stationary Navier-Stokes equations. It is assumed that friction forces are known on a part of the outer boundary. We first prove a uniqueness result. Then, we establish a formula for the observed friction forces, at first order, in terms of the deformation of the rigid body. In some particular situations, this provides a strategy that could be used to compute approximations to the solution of the inverse problem. In the proofs we use unique continuation and regularity results for the Navier-Stokes equations and domain variation techniques. © 2007 Cambridge University Press.