The properties of coupled waves propagating in long suspended cables

In this paper, the properties of coupled waves travelling along a long cable are analysed. Since the tension and curvature in the equilibrium position of the cable are slowly varying functions of the arc co-ordinate, the problems concerning the travelling waves can be solved using the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) method. The waves propagating in the plane of the equilibrium curve are coupled. The wave associated with displacements perpendicular to the plane is uncoupled from the remaining waves. Applying the WKB method, the dispersion relation and equations describing the amplitudes of waves are determined. For a longitudinal-dominated pair of waves, there exist two cut-off frequencies depending on the arc co-ordinate. The results of calculations of wavelengths and amplitudes are presented in the form of plots.