1. A controller used to predict a shape associated with an article produced in a rolling mill, said controller comprising: a microprocessor; and an algorithm configured such that a set of displacement values corresponding to a linear relationship [u]=[K] −1 [f] are calculated by cooperation of said algorithm and said microprocessor, where [u] represents said set of displacement values, [f] represents a set of imposed force values, and [K] −1 represents a set of inverted stiffness values, at least one of said [u], [f] and [K] −1 comprise a plurality of individual nodal values that are aggregated by said algorithm, wherein at least a portion of said individual nodal values are based on a combination of beam elements and continuous elastic foundations coupled between said beam elements.