A shape estimation is needed to control actively a smart structure. A method is, hence, proposed to predict the deformed shape of the structure subjected to unknown external load using the signal from sensors attached to the structure. The shape estimation is based on the relationship between the deformation of the structure and the signal from the sensors. The matrix containing the relationship between the deformation and signal is obtained using fictitious force or eigenvector of global stiffness matrix. Then the deformed shape can be predicted using the linear matrix and signal from sensors attached to the structure. To verify this method, experiment and FEM were performed and it was shown that the shape estimation method based on the fictitious force predicts deflections well and more accurately than that based on eigenvector.