On the topological structure of the set of generalized solutions of the catenary problem

Abstract

SynopsisThe global topological structure of the space of configurations of a non-rotating elastic string under compression and tension is studied. The part of the string under tension is specified by a measurable subset of the interval. The set of such intervals, with the Hausdorff topology, is considered a parameter space for the equation satisfied by the string, and the solutions are shown to form an infinitedimensional continuum over this parameter space. A new global topological theorem is needed, since the parameter space is not Euclidean. The topological theorem is based on the fixed-point transfer.