Cable Net: Continuous System Analysis

Large-deflection membrane theory is used to analyze a two-way prestressed cable net in the form of a surface of revolution. The net is subject to loads with axial symmetry and the response compared to that predicted by linearized large-deflection and classical membrane theories. The results for the considered structure indicate that: (1) linearized large-deflection theory provides an adequate analysis for axisymmetric loading; and (2) the classical membrane theory is inadequate. The large-deflection theory is derived, formulated as a boundary value problem and solved by an iterative numerical integration technique. The classical theory is formulated as an initial value problem.