The University of British Columbia

In this paper we discuss a method of approximating a deflection curve of a simple beam by means of a given number of equi-spaced force actuators subject to constraints on the bending moment. The deflection curve is assumed to be specified at a number of equi-spaced points greater than the number of actuators. The method developed minimizes the approximation error in an integral squared sense. The method is applied to an example of approximation of a deflection curve of the slice lip on a paper machine headbox for the control of basis weight of paper.