Non-linear vibrations of cables considering loosening

A cable cannot resist the axial compressive force that may be induced during large amplitude vibrations. In this paper, the effect of cable loosening on non-linear vibrations of flat-sag cables is discussed by using the finite difference method that can express cable loosening. In the present method, flexural rigidity and damping of the cable are considered in the equations of motion of a cable in order to handle the numerical instability. The effect of cable loosening is evaluated explicitly in the present paper. Furthermore, non-linear vibration properties are evaluated for various parameters under periodic and step vertical loading. The effect of cable loosening on response under vertical periodic time-varying load is small and it is possible for the sag-to-span ratio to roughly equal the ratio for modal transition. The loosening under the vertical step loading in the direction opposite to the gravity appears at almost the same sag-to-span ratio.