The　pulse‐spectrum　technique　(PST),　an　iterative　numerical　algorithm,　is　presented　and　extended　to　solve　the　inverse　problems　arising　from　the　dynamic　structural　identification　and　structural　design　problems.　A　simple　one‐dimensional　shear　beam　model　is　used　to　demonstrate　the　applicability　of　PST.　Numerical　simulations　are　carried　out　to　test　the　feasibility　and　to　study　the　general　characteristics　of　this　technique　without　the　real　measurement　and　design　data.　It　is　found　that　the　PST　is　not　only　quite　robust　in　providing　accurate　results　but　also　an　excellent　numerical　method　according　to　the　four　practical　criteria　for　evaluating　numerical　methods.　Copyright　©　1983　John　Wiley　&　Sons,　Ltd