A general set of 3-D dynamic field equations for a cable segment is de
rived based on the classical Euler-Kirchhoff theory of an elastica. Th
e model includes flexural stiffness to remove the potential singularit
y when cable tension vanishes and can be reduced to the equations for
a perfectly flexible cable. A hybrid model and a solution scheme by di
rect integration are then proposed to solve the oceanic cable/body sys
tem with a localized low-tension region. Numerical examples demonstrat
e the capability and validity of the formulation and the numerical alg
orithm. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.