THE STATIC EQUILIBRIUM CONFIGURATION OF CABLE ARRAYS BY USE OF THE METHOD OF IMAGINARY REACTIONS.

Abstract : A new technique, The Method of Imaginary Reactions, is introduced for determining the static equilibrium configuration of cable arrays. Throughout this technique, a discrete parameter representation of the system is employed. However, it should be noted that the analysis method used depends only on the number of redundant reactions encountered; thus, the system can be represented with arbitrary fineness without increasing the complexity of the problem. An iterative solution is generated for varying the unknown reactions, and convergence to the correct equilibrium configuration of the array is guaranteed. The rapidity of convergence is shown by several numerical examples. The solution for the case of position-dependent applied external forces is indicated. (Author)