Two-Dimensional Nonlinear Analysis of Long Cables

A simple finite-difference iterative model is presented here for the nonlinear analysis of a long inclined cable due to its self-weight and other concentrated loads in between. The input requires the end coordinates, area of cross section, modulus of elasticity, and initial tension of the cable. If the ends of the cable are subjected to displacements, the tension in the cable varies nonlinearly and the new deformed shape is computed using an iterative procedure. Unlike finite-element methods, initial cable geometry is not required here, and the method automatically computes the initial geometry even with concentrated loads.