Analytical modeling and approaches of multihelix cables incorporating with interwire mutual contacts

This study aims to develop an analytical model based on the curve beam theory to capture the mechanical response of a multihelix cable considering the internal contact displacements. Accordingly, a double-helix cable subjected to axial tension and torsion is analyzed, and both the line and point contacts between the neighboring wires and strands are considered via an equivalent homogenized approach. Then, the proposed theoretical model is extended to a hierarchical multihelix cable with mutual contact displacements by constructing a recursive relationship between the high- and low-level multihelix structures. The global tensile stiffness and torsional stiffness of the double-helix cable are successfully evaluated. The results are validated by a finite element (FE) model, and are found to be consistent with the findings of previous studies. It is shown that the contact deformations in multihelix cables significantly affect their equivalent mechanical stiffness, and the contact displacements are remarkably enhanced as the helix angles increase. This study provides insights into the interwire/interstrand mutual contact effects on global and local responses.