How to repeat a hanging chain

[ferhyunt (bongtack)]

Hi, I created a model that creates s hanging chain.

The points inside the curve don’t get load, so the top remains straight.

I want to create the transition from square to arch in the fixed height. I did it manually by making a chain, duplicating the line, reducing the size of the curve containing the points that will not get load, adjusting the load until the vault hits the same height, I repeat this until the rectangle becomes completely vaulty.

In the end I want to mirror the transition and create a lofted surface.

I want to know if there is a way I can create the desired outcome without creating the line one by one manually.

Here’s the grasshopper model!
CassetteVaulter.gh (10.2 KB)

[dharman]

I’m not sure how to control the final height of the chains to be identical. I tried by distributing the same total load to each chain, and the resultant heights appear to increase linearly.

[dharman]

dividing varying the amount of load applied to each point by the power of the number of points gives this

i found that power of approx 3.14 (pi!) looks fairly close to equal height.

My exploration is a bit of a mess. you’ll see the red groups affect the height. I’ve used a meshloft from Chromodoris because it’s fast, but not necessary.

Maybe you could use another goal to control the height? What properties does your final form need?

CassetteVaulter_re.gh (24.6 KB)