Inverse identification strategies for the characterization of transformation-based anisotropic plasticity models with the non-linear VFM

•Definition of an inverse identification protocol based on the Virtual Fields Method with enhanced robustness and efficiency for the calibration of anisotropic plasticity models.•The method provides a diagnostic strategy for the evaluation of a suitable smoothing of strain data in order to reduce the effects of experimental noise.•The formulation of the adopted virtual fields and the VFM settings can considerably increase the accuracy of the identification results.•The method was capable of identifying the YLD2000-2D yield function in the case of a bake-hardened steel by using deep-notched specimen at three material orientations.