Statics and dynamics of multi-cable systems for submersibles

Abstract A method is presented for the static and dynamic analysis of multi-cable hoisting systems composed typically of hoisting and guide ropes, electrical cables and anchor lines. The cables are mutually coupled by the lowered object and the deck machinery, and are subject to the action of water current. In the analysis the principle of non-linear load distribution among a few individual cables is proposed. In the dynamic analysis, both components of motion (horizontal and vertical) are taken into account and the cable is treated as an elastic, curvilinear continuous system. The solution describes stationary planar vibrations of the cables and the submersible and is based on the resolution of the boundary value problem as a series of eigenfunctions. The presented method may be easily programmed and is suitable for personal computers.