EXACT SOLUTION FOR VIBRATION ANALYSIS OF RECTANGULAR CABLE NETWORKS WITH PERIODICALLY DISTRIBUTED SUPPORTS

Rectangular cable networks supported by periodically distributed posts can be regarded as a structure with bi-periodicity in two orthogonal directions. By considering an equivalent system with cyclic bi-periodi city and applying the double U-transformation technique twice, the har monic vibration equation can be uncoupled into a set of single variabl e equation, and that leads to the exact solutions. As an example, a sq uare cable network with a 6 x 6 mesh and 2 x 2 internal supports is co nsidered. The solutions of natural and forced vibrations are worked ou t by using the formulas obtained in the present study. (C) 1998 Academ ic Press.