Dynamic finite-element simulation of monocable aerial ropeways
Abstract
Dynamic simulation of monocable aerial ropeways is challenging because the cable undergoes large sag and geometric deformation while continuously circulating through support towers and sheaves, with interactions involving unilateral contact, friction, and discrete loads induced by carriers. This paper presents a finite-element framework for the dynamic simulation of such systems. The cable is modeled as a geometrically nonlinear, extensible one-dimensional continuum with a tension-only constitutive law, while contact with roller batteries and station sheaves is described using unilateral contact and Coulomb friction laws. The resulting spatially discrete problem is integrated in time using a Moreau-Jean nonsmooth time-stepping scheme, with contact impulses obtained from a second-order cone complementarity formulation. The approach is implemented in an open-source Python toolbox that provides a complete simulation pipeline, from the generation of an initial catenary configuration and static equilibrium to the dynamic simulation of a running installation.
The framework is demonstrated on the geometry and operating conditions of a real chairlift. The simulations reproduce the transient response of the installation during start-up, steady operation, and emergency stopping, and reveal significant oscillations whose amplitude and spatial localization depend on the operating conditions. A systematic time-step study shows first-order convergence behavior (in time) for cable positions, tensions, and contact reaction forces. The computational cost is also characterized as a function of the spatial discretization. The proposed framework provides a basis for investigating dynamic effects in monocable aerial ropeways and for extending numerical simulation to more complex configurations and operating scenarios.
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BibTeX
@misc{mestdagh2026dynamic,
title = {{Dynamic finite-element simulation of monocable aerial ropeways}},
author = {Guillaume Mestdagh and Charlélie Bertrand and Mathieu Weiss and Vincent Acary},
howpublished = {HAL},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05799976v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Dynamic finite-element simulation of monocable aerial ropeways
AU - Guillaume Mestdagh
AU - Charlélie Bertrand
AU - Mathieu Weiss
AU - Vincent Acary
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
PB - HAL
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05799976v1
AB - Dynamic simulation of monocable aerial ropeways is challenging because the cable undergoes large sag and geometric deformation while continuously circulating through support towers and sheaves, with interactions involving unilateral contact, friction, and discrete loads induced by carriers. This paper presents a finite-element framework for the dynamic simulation of such systems. The cable is modeled as a geometrically nonlinear, extensible one-dimensional continuum with a tension-only constitutive law, while contact with roller batteries and station sheaves is described using unilateral contact and Coulomb friction laws. The resulting spatially discrete problem is integrated in time using a Moreau-Jean nonsmooth time-stepping scheme, with contact impulses obtained from a second-order cone complementarity formulation. The approach is implemented in an open-source Python toolbox that provides a complete simulation pipeline, from the generation of an initial catenary configuration and static equilibrium to the dynamic simulation of a running installation. The framework is demonstrated on the geometry and operating conditions of a real chairlift. The simulations reproduce the transient response of the installation during start-up, steady operation, and emergency stopping, and reveal significant oscillations whose amplitude and spatial localization depend on the operating conditions. A systematic time-step study shows first-order convergence behavior (in time) for cable positions, tensions, and contact reaction forces. The computational cost is also characterized as a function of the spatial discretization. The proposed framework provides a basis for investigating dynamic effects in monocable aerial ropeways and for extending numerical simulation to more complex configurations and operating scenarios.
ER -