Continuous System Models

Abstract

In this chapter, some general concepts on continuous models are discussed. This chapter refers both to models and to computer simulation. Classification of dynamic systems is reviewed and summarized. The main numerical methods for the concentrated parameter systems, governed by the ordinary differential equations are described. An example of a simulation task of a simple mechanical system is given. The methods of signal flow graphs and bond graphs are discussed. A new, alternate approach is proposed, using the differential inclusions instead of ordinary differential equations. Next, there are some remarks on the distributed parameter systems, partial differential equation models, and the finite element method. We do not discuss here software tools for continuous models. Any software described in publications of such type may result to be obsolete within a few years, while the more general concepts do not change so quickly.