A new two-node catenary cable element for the geometrically non-linear analysis of cable-supported structures

Abstract

This article presents a geometrically non-linear finite-element method for an accurate and efficient analysis of spatial cable structures. A two-node catenary cable element is formulated accurately considering the effect of self-weight of cable element. The tangent stiffness matrix of the cable element is derived as an accurate explicit expression of structural parameters and the nodal forces of the cable element are then also analytically calculated. Pre-stress in the cable element may be considered in the formulation. Three classical numerical examples are first provided to show the accuracy and efficiency of this method and the developed method is then applied to construction stage simulation in order to determine the erection parameters of a suspension bridge through progressive non-linear analysis. The cable element proposed can be conveniently used for the geometric non-linear analysis of flexible structures such as long-span suspension bridges, cable-stayed bridges, and tension structures.