Axisymmetric trawl cod-ends made from netting of a generalized mesh shape

The equations governing the geometry of axisymmetric trawl cod-endsmade from netting of meshes of a particular generalized structureare derived. From this, by suitable setting of the initial meshbar lengths, the equations governing the geometry of cod-endsthat are of importance to the fishing industry can be readilydeduced. It is assumed that arbitrary membrane forces act normalto the edges of the mesh elements, that there is no shear forceacting on the edge of a mesh element and that the twine thatmakes up the netting is extensible. The case where there isslackness in the mesh bars in the circumferential directionis dealt with and it is demonstrated how the finite structureof a knot can be taken into account. The case where the membraneforces arise solely as a result of and can be expressed by theappropriate components of the tensions in the mesh bars is alsoexamined and numerical solutions are found for a range of examples.