A computational scheme for determining the dynamic stiffness coefficie
nts of a linear, inclined, translating and viscously/hysteretically da
mped cable element is outlined. Also taken into account is the couplin
g between inplane transverse and longitudinal forms of cable vibration
. The scheme is based on conversion of the governing set of quasistati
c boundary value problems into a larger equivalent set of initial valu
e problems, which are subsequently numerically integrated in a spatial
domain using marching algorithms. Numerical results which bring out t
he nature of the dynamic stiffness coefficients are presented. A speci
fic example of random vibration analysis of a long span cable subjecte
d to earthquake support motions modeled as vector gaussian random proc
esses is also discussed. The approach presented is versatile and capab
le of handling many complicating effects in cable dynamics in a unifie
d manner.