Low-tension cable dynamics: Numerical and experimental studies

An efficient and robust numerical method is presented for the dynamic analy sis of low-tension cables. The numerical solution strategy is based on fini te-difference approximations of differential equations. In a scheme used by other researchers, known as the box scheme, the trapezoidal method is empl oyed in both space and time domains. This scheme, however, gives rise to sp urious high-frequency oscillations in cable tension response, as discovered in the research work reported herein. A modified box scheme is proposed to eliminate the problem. To improve computational efficiency, an iterative p rocedure is used to solve the resulting nonlinear simultaneous equations. A "free-fall" problem of cable dynamics involving low tension and large disp lacement motion is studied numerically. An experimental program is carried out to verify the accuracy of the numerical solution with regards to cable tension response.