Formulation and application of multi-node sliding cable element for the analysis of Suspen-Dome structures

Multi-node sliding cable element was formulated for the analysis of cable structures with cables threading through a number of joints and being able to slide inside them. Tangent stiffness matrix was determined for the element based on uniform strain assumption. The element was implemented in ABAQUS as user defined element and applied in the static and nonlinear stability analysis of a Suspen-Dome structure. The rationality and effectiveness of multi-node sliding cable element for both sliding and non-sliding situations were verified by considering symmetric and asymmetric loads on the Suspen-Dome. The effect of cable sliding on the behaviour of the Suspen-Dome was also discussed.