Identification of Distributed Parameter Systems using Finite Element Approximation

A system identification technique is developed for a class of distributed systems by using the finite element approximation. The system is assumed to be described by partial differential equations which contain unknown parameters. The finite element method is used to transform the partial differential equations into a system of ordinary differential equations. The unknown parameters are identified using the modified Newton-Raphson method. A simply supported flexible beam is used as an example to demonstrate the technique.