Nonlinear behavior of pretensioned SUS304-Nickel composite cables: Effects of concentrated stiffness and temperature sensitivity

· Investigating the effect of the point stiffness on the response of various cable structures with different loading conditions. · Novel research on composite cables having point stiffness, addressing temperature-dependent effects and pretension. · Accurate and comprehensive three-dimensional modeling approach for capturing the behavior of homogeneous and composite cables. · Employing the Newton-Raphson method for robust analysis of composite cables under different loading conditions. · Practical implications for enhancing composite cables' performance for practical engineering uses in real-world engineering applications. Composite cables are commonly utilized across different engineering disciplines due to their exceptional strength combined with low weight, making them suitable for applications in industries such as aerospace, construction, and automotive engineering. However, external factors like temperature shifts and the use of pretension play a crucial role in determining their effectiveness. This paper investigates the influence of concentrated stiffness on the mechanical nonlinear behavior of various cable structures under diverse loading conditions, with a focus on novel composite cables. For this aim, point spring is employed at different positions. Moreover, the effects of temperature and pretension are explored in cables featuring concentrated stiffness, utilizing an accurate and comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) modeling technique to capture the behavior of both homogeneous and composite cables. This study extends current knowledge by examining the intricate interplay between concentrated stiffness, temperature, and pretension in cables, providing key insights into how these factors influence the overall performance of cable structures. The Newton-Raphson (NR) technique is employed to ensure robust analysis, providing precise solutions under different load cases. For the first time, the influence line is available for cable structures, enabling precise visual perception of both vertical and horizontal deflections for any values of concentrated moving loads and concentrated stiffnesses applied to any point of the cable. This is applicable in cable-supported bridges design. Specifically, the interplay between temperature, concentrated stiffness and volume fraction of the SUS304-Nickel composite components in a pretensioned cable is investigated in detail. The findings offer practical implications for improving the composite cables' performance, enhancing their applicability in real engineering projects. The results obtained are expected to contribute significantly to the advancement of cable technology and offer engineers new strategies for optimizing structural performance.