THREE-DIMENSIONAL SUSPENSION STRUCTURES

An analytical procedure is presented for determining displacements of elastic three-dimensional suspension structures subjected to static loads applied in any direction, to temperature change, and to support movement. The structures considered are composed of cables and compression members which are assumed incapable of resisting bending. The analytical method is valid regardless of the magnitude of the displacements. Large sets of simultaneous nonlinear algebraic equations result from the analysis. Two methods are used for their solution: the method of continuity and an incremental load method. In the method of continuity the algebraic equations are transformed into nonlinear differential equations which are numerically integrated. In the incremental load method the loads are applied incrementally and the equations solved at each load level by means of an iterative technique. Both methods of solution were programmed for an electronic digital computer having a large storage capacity. These programs were used for numerical studies of isolated cables, counterstressed dual cable structures, and prestressed nets.