Nonlinear static and dynamic analysis of cable structures

This paper presents a catenary cable element for the nonlinear analysis of cable structures subjected to static and dynamic loadings. The element stiffness matrix and element nodal forces, which account for self-weight and pretension effects, are derived based on exact analytical expressions of elastic catenary. Cables encountered in cable networks as well as cable-supported bridges can be modeled using the proposed element. An incremental-iterative solution based on the Newmark direct integration method and the Newton–Raphson method is adopted for solving the nonlinear equation of motion. The accuracy and reliability of the present element are verified by comparing the predictions with those generated by commercial finite element package SAP2000, and the results given by other authors using different analytical or numerical approaches.