A note on using the collocation method for modelling the dynamics of a flexible continuous beam subject to impacts

The use of non-smooth modelling techniques to model the dynamics of a flexible impacting beam has recently been reported in Ref. [1]. The method used was based on taking a Galerkin approximation [2] of the partial differential equation (PDE) governing the dynamics of the beam away from impact, and coupling this to a non-smooth coefficient of restitution rule to model the impact [3]. In this letter, the advantages and limitations of using a collocation method instead of the Galerkin method combined with a non-smooth impact law are discussed.