Application of homotopic methods to static flexible pipe and cable problems

Abstract

This paper describes a statical analysis technique for flexible pipe and cable systems using slender rods, initial value shooting and homotopic mapping. The technique has been developed to ensure, or to speed up, solution convergence, especially in three-dimensional problems with complex boundary conditions. It has been a primary concern of the work that the solution method be as general as possible; that is, it makes the fewest possible assumptions at initiation and requires the minimum of prior knowledge of the solution configuration. Examples are given to show the capabilities of the method.