Efficient simulation of cables with anisotropic high‐order solid finite elements

Abstract Cables are slender structures with a complex geometry, that can undergo large deformations during their installation or in dynamic environments. In combination with their complex inner structure they pose a challenging problem for finite element simulations. In this article a simplified approach is presented to model cables by using an effective material and a homogeneous cross‐section, which is anisotropic in the elastic and inelastic domain. For the high‐order hierarchic shape functions with quasi‐regional mapping, anisotropic ansatz spaces are applied in tension, torsion and bending simulations. The identification of material parameters is conducted based on experimental results for a tension and a torsion test using the particle swarm optimization algorithm. Finally, the identified parameters are validated for a combined load case with torsion and free bending, showing a promising approach regarding the simulation of cable structures.