• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.99-106
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• 2011

In this study, the dynamic contact of a catenary system is analyzed by using the finite element method. We derive the equations of motion for the catenary system by taking into consideration tension on the catenaries. After establishing the weak form, they are spatially discretized with beam elements. Then, we analytically calculated the wave propagation speed for a string, bar, beam, and the catenaries subjected to tension. Further, finite element computer program for contact dynamic analyses is developed. Finally, we analyze the wave propagation response corresponding to the moving load to the contact line are calculated.