Stitched catenary benchmark – PantoCat statement of methods

The present work contributes to the international benchmark focused on stitched wire catenaries, which extends previous benchmark exercises. Besides covering a different type to catenary system, it considers a more complex geometry including overlap regions between adjacent tension lengths. These configurations introduce additional modelling challenges, particularly due to the possibility of simultaneous contact between the pantograph and multiple contact wires, as well as the increased sensitivity of the system to modelling assumptions. Within this context, this statement of methods provides a concise but comprehensive description of the numerical tool PantoCat. Such description includes a general overview of the numerical application, covering its origins, foundations, modelling principles, main features and the organisation of its computational modules, as well particular observations found within the overall benchmark results.