On the Free Vibrations of Suspended Cables with Frictional End Restraint

Abstract

Results are obtained for the free vibrations of suspended cables for which longitudinal end restraint is supplied by friction. The problem is germane to submarine telecommunication cables. It is shown that all modes of vibration are independent of any characteristic dimensionless parameters, at least insofar as the linear theory applies to flat-sag cables, and the friction capability of the soil at the mudline is low. This sets the problem apart from the traditional, firmly founded suspended cable where, for some of the important in-plane modes, there is variability in the results. The theory is of importance in determining the vortex-induced vibratory response of suspended cable spans to currents of various sorts.