-1
$\begingroup$

I am supossed to solve the hanging chain in constant homogeneus gravity field:

enter image description here

The chain of length $L_0$ is divided into $N$ parts which are homogenous with length $l$ and mass $m$ and connected by ideal joints. I am supposed to study the curve with different $N$ and $l$. It´s always true that $Nl=L_0=const.$ I´ve seen the analytical solution but I am supposed to do it numerically and I am supposed to get a set of inhomogenous equations a then solve them numerically. But I dont know how to get the equations. According to the task I am supposed to get a set of normal equations not differential equations. Can someone help me?

$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ Can you provide the analytical solution form start to end? You may do out HW in steps: 1. Define the problem, 2. Write appropriate equations. 3. Apply numerical methods. 4. Interpret the results. $\endgroup$
    – Crowley
    Commented Jan 11, 2017 at 18:08
  • $\begingroup$ This is a standard problem which is solved in many places on the internet. eg Googling your question I found this as #4. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 11, 2017 at 18:29
  • $\begingroup$ Related: physics.stackexchange.com/questions/421957/… $\endgroup$
    – PM 2Ring
    Commented Dec 24, 2018 at 19:43

2 Answers 2

1
$\begingroup$

Just first shot:

You may start with formula for steady state: $$\sum \mathbf F_i=0$$ where $\mathbf F_i$ are forces applied to the body under scope.

In our case there are forces between neighbours and gravity. Let's denote:

  • $\mathbf F_{i+}$ the force applied to $i$-th "free" joint from the right neighbour,
  • $\mathbf F_{i-}$ the force applied to $i$-th joint from the left neighbour,
  • $\mathbf G_{i}$ the gravitational force applied to $i$-th joint.

For every joint equation $\mathbf F_{i+}+\mathbf F_{i-}+\mathbf G_{i}=\mathbf 0$ must be valid.

Decompose the vectors to their parts and solve for all $i$: $$F_{xi+}+F_{xi-}=0\\F_{yi+}+F_{yi-}+G_y=0$$

You may look for the angles of each massless rod and when you know their lengths and angles you can find positions of each joint.

$\endgroup$
0
-1
$\begingroup$

The catenary shape equation is $$ y(x) = y_C + a \left( \cosh \left( \frac{x-x_C}{a} \right) -1 \right) $$ where $(x_C,y_C)$ is the coordinate of the lowest point and $a$ is the so called catenary constant. At the supports the forces on the horizontal direction are $H$ and the unit weight of the cable is $w = \rho g A$ making the catenary constant $$a = \frac{H}{w} $$

Use the above to find the end-points of each segment. For a segment spanning between $x_1$ and $x_2$ in the horizontal direction with length $\ell$ and angle orientation $\theta$ the following is true

$$ \begin{align} x_2 = x_1 + \ell \cos \theta \\ y_2 = y_1 + \ell \sin \theta \end{align} $$

Now for the balance of forces. The weight of each segment is $W = w \ell$ and the force equations

$$ \begin{align} (T + \Delta T) \cos \left( \theta + \Delta \theta\right) - T \cos \left( \theta \right) & = 0 \\ (T + \Delta T) \sin \left( \theta + \Delta \theta\right) - T \sin \left( \theta \right) - w \ell & = 0 \end{align} $$

where $T$ and $\theta$ is the tension and angle on the left side of the segment and $T+\Delta T$ and $\theta + \Delta \theta$ the tension and angle on the right side.

This means that each segment recursively changes the tension and angle by

$$ \begin{align} \Delta T & = \sqrt{T^2+w^2 \ell^2+2 T w \ell \sin \theta}-T \\ \Delta \theta & = \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{\cos \theta}{\sin\theta + \frac{T}{w \ell} } \right) \end{align} $$

You can check the results against the analytical form of the tension and angle $$ \begin{align} T &= H \cosh\left( \frac{x-x_C}{a} \right) \\ \theta &= \sinh\left( \frac{x-x_C}{a} \right) \end{align} $$

$\endgroup$

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.