Forced wave propagation in viscoelastic cable with small sag

O34; Based on the linear viscoelastic differential constitutive law and cable structural model, the coupled longitudinal-transverse waves that propagate along a viscoelastic cable with small curvature is investigated. A mathematical model is presented that describes the three-dimensional nonlinear response of a viscoelastic cable. An asymptotic form of this model is obtained for the linear response of cables having small equihbrium curvature. The spectral relation governing the propagating waves is derived using transform methods. The spectral relation is employed in deriving a Green's function that is then used to construct solutions for in-plane response under distributed harmonic excitation. Analysis of forced response reveals the existence of two types of periodic waves that propagate through the cable, one characterizing extension-comprehensive deformation and the other characteristic transverse deformation.