I'm thinking about a project to tackle, and I'd like to make a simulation that allows the user to define a rope or chain of length L, pin it at arbitrary points r1, r2.... etc. and draw the resulting curve in real time.

Also, I'd like the user to be able to alter the field that the rope exists in, for example more complex vector fields than just a straight gravitational field. This is a bonus, however, and I'd like to get the basic example working.

Could you recommend some resources, preferably free/online, for me to learn the physics involved (I'm not exactly sure what to CALL this area of classical mechanics)? I learn through concepts and then math so a resource that is concept-heavy would be nice. 

Thanks!