Nonlinear dynamics of cable nets

Tensile structures are revolutionizing structural engineering and architecture, prized for their remarkable lightness and elegant designs. From impressive ship sails to iconic suspension bridges, these structures utilize members operating primarily in tension to create impressive feats of engineering. Explore the fascinating world of tensile structures, encompassing a wide range of applications including prestressed membranes, cable roofs, air-supported structures, tensegrity structures, and various suspension and cable-stayed bridges.

The versatility of tensile structures extends to diverse fields, encompassing antennae, guyed masts, and even sea-based applications like floating or submerged breakwaters. You'll find them in smaller-scale applications too, such as snow avalanche nets, rock fall barriers, cranes, sailboats, mooring lines, trawl lines, and nets. Even everyday items like umbrellas and clotheslines exemplify the principles of tensile design.

A key characteristic of tensile structures is their shape, which is determined by applied loads and initial pretension. They exhibit significant large deformations compared to their unloaded form, impacting their overall stiffness. Analyzing these structures requires nonlinear analysis for each load combination, as the principle of superposition does not apply due to these large deformations.

Cable nets, often forming the surface of a hyperbolic paraboloid, are a prime example of the capabilities of tensile structures. These nets can span vast distances without intermediate supports and efficiently carry substantial loads relative to their weight. This makes them ideal for covering large long-span areas such as hangars, stadia, swimming pools, ice rinks, exhibition halls, theatres, concert halls, and churches.

This advanced course delves into the nonlinear dynamics of cable structures. Building upon a solid foundation in the theory of linear dynamics of structures, this course unveils the unique and often subtle resonant phenomena inherent in these systems. While engineers are familiar with linear dynamics, the nonlinear dynamic behavior of tensile structures presents novel challenges and opportunities for detection and analysis. Join us to explore these fascinating aspects of cable nonlinear dynamics.