Vibration of cables and dampers — I

An analysis of the vibration of cables and dampers, representing the results of several years of research and laboratory and field testing, is presented in this paper. In Part I, presented herewith, an explanation of the causes and nature of free harmonic vibration of the cable is offered, followed by an analysis of the resulting stresses. In Part II, which is scheduled for publication in a subsequent issue, various ways of reducing the maximum stresses and means of controlling the vibration are discussed, including an analysis of the action of Stockbridge dampers. Applications of the formulas to specific cases are given, and comparisons are made with experimental data from laboratory and field.