Influence of motion parameters on incidence of resonant track rope vibrations in a bi-cable ropeway system

Abstract

In this paper dynamics of a bi-cable circulating aerial ropeway subjected to in-service moving load is considered. The objective is to investigate the influence of two basic motion parameters of passenger gondolas (driving speed and distance between cable cars) on possible excitation of the frequency resonance effect in a track rope. Numerical analyses are carried out using the computational model which is composed of two coupled dynamic sub-systems: a multi-span carrying cable tensioned by a counterweight and a set of moving gondolas represented by physical pendulums. The continuous model is formulated using Ritz approximation method combined with Lagrange equations. The example of three-span bi-cable ropeway system is considered in numerical tests. The structure response to various excitation frequencies determined by motion parameters is investigated, taking into account the resonance zone. Time-histories of in-plane transverse vibrations of the track rope in representative cross-sections are presented, as well as vibrations of the counterweight. Results obtained in numerical simulations reveal the influence of motion parameters on noticeable amplification of system vibrations due to full in-service load.