Three-dimensional transient analysis of the installation of marine cables (Q1384798)

The paper discusses the problem of the three-dimensional transient motion of marine cables during installation, when the vessel laid on the cable arbitrary changes the velocity and its direction in calm water in the presence of oceanic currents. First, a continuous formulation of the problem is given. For the numerical solution, the suspended cable is divided into straight rigid cable elements connected by pin nodes. This cable element model is equivalent to a chain under tension. Equations of motion are solved using a higher-order Runge-Kutta method, and results are presented for the time-dependent elements elevation and azimuth angles, and for the transient cable geometry corresponding to planar maneuvers of the vessel.