Determination of the Accuracy of Segmented Representations of Cable Shape

The results of a comprehensive investigation of the accuracy of representing a continuous cable by a finite number of segments are presented. The results are limited to the two-dimensional static case. The accuracy of three different finite-segment models is evaluated for a number of segments ranging from 1 to 40. The difference between the three models lies in the manner in which the inclination of each segment is obtained. The results basically show that relatively few segments are required to accurately obtain the overall geometry and resultant tension of the cable.