Development of a variable-length underwater cable model

This thesis develops a novel variable length cable model to simulate the behavior of submerged cables with variable unstretched length and a PC based simulation that integrates the governing cable equations. The general model is developed from continuous cable equations that are discretized using a finite element method with linear elements. Two systems of equations were developed, one for a variable length elastic element and the other for a constant length elastic element. A cable transition model is developed to ensure dynamic compatibility when a variable length element is divided or combined. The model proved to be an efficient and reliable tool to predict the behavior of underwater cables with variable length.