Taut-slack algorithm for analyzing the geometric nonlinearity of cable structures

This paper presents an improved small strain elastic finite element formulation to analyze static multi-component mooring cable problems. The inherent catenary profile of a cable subjected to self-weight and other loads can be solved quickly with the flexibility iteration approach coupled with the ‘Taut-slack’ algorithm. This new algorithm improves the stability of the Newton-Raphson solution process. The results for an example problem have been found to be consistent with those from OrcaFlex.