Cables/Flexible Chords CE 223 WRE (Mechanics of Solids-II), Level-2, Term-2 Md.

Ruhul Amin

= List of Symbols =
lb. = pound, N = Newton, Pa = Pascal, MPa = Mega-Pascal, GPa = Giga-Pascal
kip = kilo-pound (1 kilo-pound = 1000 pound)
kN = kilo-Newton (1 kilo-Newton = 1000 Newton)
2
1 Pa = 1 N/m , 1 ksi = 1 kip/inch2 = 1000 psi = 1000 lb./inch2
1 MPa = 1 N/mm2 = 145.0223 psi = 0.1450223 ksi, 1 GPa = 109 Pa = 103 MPa
σ allowable = allowable stress in cable/wire/rope (unit: psi, ksi, N/mm2 ………)
cable/wire/rope: is a linear (1-D) structural member can transmit tension (T) only. The cross-
sectional dimensions (A) of a cable are so small relative to its length (S) that it cannot withstand
bending or compression or shear.
A = cross-sectional area of cable/wire/rope (unit: inch2, cm2, mm2 ………)
E = modulus of elasticity of cable/wire/rope material (unit: psi, ksi, N/mm2 ………)
M = bending moment (unit: lb.-inch, lb.-ft, kip-inch, kip-feet, N-m, N-mm ………)
L = span = horizontal distance between two cable supports (unit: inch, feet, m, cm, mm ………)
h = vertical distance (difference in elevation) between two cable supports (unit: inch, feet, m, cm
………)
cable chord = imaginary line that joins two support of a cable/wire/rope
d = cable sag/dip (vertical distance measured from cable chord) (unit: inch, feet, m, cm, mm
………)
f = dmid-span = cable sag at mid-span (L/2) location of cable/wire/rope (unit: inch, feet, m, cm, mm
………)
O = origin (at left support)
y = ordinate of any point on cable (measured from horizontal X-axis) (unit: inch, feet, m, cm, mm
………)
x = abscissa of any point on cable (measured from vertical Y-axis) (unit: inch, feet, m, cm, mm
………)
θ = slope of tangent at any point on cable/wire/rope = dy/dx (unit: radian, degree ………)
α = inclination of cable chord (angle measured from horizontal X-axis) (unit: radian, degree
………) [tan α = (h / L) or α = tan-1(h/L)]
T = cable tension (unit: kip, lb., N, kN, ………) = H 2  V 2 = H/cosθ
T H V T H V T H V T H V
          
ds dx dy dx  dy
2 2 dx dy cos θ  sin θ cosθ sinθ
2 2 1 cosθ sinθ
[cable tension always acts in the direction of the cable; maximum tension (T) occurs at supports
of higher elevation]
H = Tcosθ = horizontal component of cable tension (unit: kip, lb., N, kN, ………)
V = Tsinθ = vertical component of cable tension (unit: kip, lb., N, kN, ………)
[‘H’ always constant along cable length & ‘V’ will vary. ‘V’ is zero at lowest point of cable]
∆S = elongation of cable/wire/rope under tension (unit: inch, feet, m, cm, mm ………)
S = stretched/loaded/deformed length cable/wire/rope (unit: inch, feet, m, cm, mm ………)
So = unstretched/unloaded/undeformed length cable/wire/rope (unit: inch, feet, m, cm, mm
………) [So = S − ∆S]
w* = uniformly distributed load on the cable/wire/rope (unit: kip/ft, lb./ft, N/m, kN/m, ………)
[*per unit length of horizontal span, L if parabola & per unit length of calble, S if catenary]
General Cable Theorem: At any point on a cable supporting vertical loads, the product of the
cable sag (d) and the horizontal component of the cable tension (H) equals the bending moment
(M) at the same point in a simply supported beam that carries the same loads in the same position
as those on the cable. The span of the beam is equal to that of the cable. [Hd = M]
shape of deformed cable = upside-down moment diagram of simply supported beam
cables subjected to concentrated loads + negligible self weight = straight-line segments with
constant tensile forces (T) between the segments. (example: cable car system)
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cables subjected to uniformly distributed loads (per unit length of cable (S), example:
transmission line) = catenary shape with varying tensile forces.
cables subjected to uniformly distributed loads (per unit length of horizontal span (L), example:
suspension bridges) = parabolic shape with varying tensile forces.
4fx
cable sag/dip, d  2 (L  x)
L
>> **equation of cable subjected to uniformly distributed loads (per unit length of horizontal span
h 4fx
(L)) with positive/upward slope cable chord, y   x  2 (L  x)   xtanα  d
L L
>> **equation of cable subjected to uniformly distributed loads (per unit length of horizontal span
h 4fx
(L)) with negative/downward slope cable chord, y   x  2 (L  x)   xtanα  d
L L
2
[**equation of 2nd order parabola seems like, y = ax + bx + c]

Question (1): A flexible cable whose ends are supported at different elevation, subjected to
concentrated loads as shown in Figure 1. Determine -
(i) horizontal component of cable tension (H), (ii) cable tension (T) in each segment, (iii)
maximum and minimum cable tension, Tmaximum & Tminimum, (iv) cross-sectional area of the cable
(A) & (v) stretched length (S), elongation (∆S) & unstretched length (So) of the cable. Given,
allowable tensile stress (σallowable) = 30 ksi and modulus of elasticity (E) of cable material = 30000
ksi.
E

4/
A

9/
B D

C
10 kip
8 kip
16 kip Figure 1
5/ 7/ 5/ 4/

10 kip 16 kip 8 kip

A E
B C D
5/ 7/ 5/ 4/
beam & it’s loading
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 +122 kip-ft

+80 kip-ft +72 kip-ft

A E
B C D
5/ 7/ 5/ 4/
bending moment diagram

cable chord
4/
A

dD
dB dC

B D

C
10 kip
8 kip
16 kip cable sag/dip
5/ 7/ 5/ 4/

Y+ E

4/

A X+

yB yD
yC=9/

B D

C
10 kip
8 kip
16 kip y-coordinates
5/ 7/ 5/ 4/
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span of cable / beam, L = (5+7+5+4) feet = 21 feet
elevation difference between support = 4 feet
h 4 feet
d C = x C  yC =  12 feet  9 feet = 11.28571429 feet
L 21 feet
M 122 kip - ft
general cable theorem, Hd C  M C  H = C  = 10.81012658 kip
d C 11.28571429 feet
M 80 kip - ft
dB  B  = 7.400468386 feet
H 10.81012658 kip
M 72 kip - ft
dD  D  = 6.660421547 feet
H 10.81012658 kip
h 4 feet
y B = d B  x B = 7.400468386 feet   5 feet = 6.448087434 feet
L 21 feet
y C = 9 feet (given)
h 4 feet
y D = d D  x D = 6.660421547 feet   17 feet = 3.422326309 feet
L 21 feet
TAB H

(x B  x A )  (y B  y A )
2 2 (x B  x A )
TAB 10.8101265 8 kip
   TAB = 17.64109741 kip
(5 feet)  (6.4480874 34 feet  0 feet)
2 2 5 feet
TBC H

(x C  x B ) 2  (y C  y B ) 2 (x C  x B )
TBC 10.8101265 8 kip
   TBC = 11.50607458 kip
(7 feet)  (9 feet  6.44808743 4 feet)
2 2 7 feet
TCD H

(x D  x C )  (y D  y C )
2 2 (x D  x C )
TCD 10.8101265 8 kip
   TCD = 16.19506244 kip
(5 feet)  (3.4223263 09 feet  9 feet)
2 2 5 feet
TDE H

(x E  x D ) 2  (y E  y D ) 2 (x E  x D )
TDE 10.8101265 8 kip
   TDE = 22.78651345 kip
(4 feet)  (4 feet  3.42232630 9 feet)
2 2 4 feet

S AB  (x B  x A ) 2  (y B  y A ) 2 = (5 feet) 2  (6.448087434 feet  0 feet) 2 = 8.159523979 feet

S BC  (x C  x B ) 2  (y C  y B ) 2 = (7 feet) 2  (9 feet  6.448087434 feet) 2 = 7.450654853 feet
SCD  (x D  x C ) 2  (y D  y C ) 2 = (5 feet) 2  (3.422326309 feet  9 feet) 2 = 7.490690476 feet
SDE  (x E  x D )2  (y E  y D ) 2 = (4 feet) 2  (4 feet  3.422326309 feet) 2 = 8.431543621 feet
S  (SAB  SBC  SCD  SDE ) = 31.53241293 feet

Tmaximum = maximum of ( TAB , TBC , TCD & TDE ) = 22.78651345 kip

Tminimum = minimum of ( TAB , TBC , TCD & TDE ) = 11.50607458 kip

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 Tmaximum 22.78651345 kip
A  = 0.759550448 inch2
σ allowable 30 ksi

TS  TS   TS   TS   TS 
ΔS          
AE  AE  AB  AE  BC  AE CD  AE  DE

 17.64109741 kip  8.159523979 feet   11.50607458 kip  7.450654853 feet 

ΔS     
 0.759550448 inch  30000 ksi  AB  0.759550448 inch  30000 ksi  BC
2 2

 16.19506244 kip  7.490690476 feet   22.78651345 kip  8.431543621 feet 

   
 0.759550448 inch  30000 ksi CD  0.759550448 inch  30000 ksi  DE
2 2

 ΔS = 0.023834643 feet = 0.286015716 inch = 7.264799186 mm

 So = S – ΔS = 31.53241293 feet – 0.023834643 feet = 31.50857829 feet

Question (2): A flexible cable whose ends are supported at different elevation, subjected to
concentrated loads as shown in Figure 2. Determine -
(i) horizontal component of cable tension (H), (ii) cable tension (T) in each segment, (iii)
maximum and minimum cable tension, Tmaximum & Tminimum, (iv) cross-sectional area of the cable
(A) & (v) stretched length (S), elongation (∆S) & unstretched length (So) of the cable. Given,
allowable tensile stress (σallowable) = 210 MPa and modulus of elasticity (E) of cable material = 200
GPa
A

1.75m
m
4
D

3 kN
C

6.5 kN
Figure 2
m m m
2 3 2

3 kN 6.5 kN

A D
B C
2m 3m 2m
beam & it’s loading

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 +11 kN-m
+8 kN-m

A D
B C
2m 3m 2m
bending moment diagram

Y+

A X+

1.75m
m
yB=4
D
yC
B

3 kN
C

6.5 kN
y-cordinates
2m 3m 2m

cable chord
A

1.75m
dB D

dC
B

3 kN
C

6.5 kN
cable sag/dip
2m 3m 2m
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span of cable / beam, L = (2+3+2) meter = 7 meter
elevation difference between support = 1.75 meter
y B = 4 meter (given)
h 1.75 feet
d B = y B  x B = 4 meter   2 meter = 3.50 meter
L 7m
M 8 kN - m
general cable theorem, Hd B  M B  H = B  = 2.285714286 kN
dB 3.50 m
M 11 kN - m
dC  C  = 4.8125 meter
H 2.28571428 kN
h 1.75 feet
y C = d C  x D = 4.8125 meter   5 meter = 6.0625 meter
L 7m
TAB H

(x B  x A )  (y B  y A )
2 2 (x B  x A )
TAB 2.28571428 6 kN
   TAB = 5.111012521 kN
( 2 meter)  (4 meter  0 meter)
2 2 2 meter
TBC H

(x C  x B )  (y C  y B )
2 2 (x C  x B )
TBC 2.28571428 6 kN
   TBC = 2.773783977 kN
(3 meter) 2  (6.0625 meter  4 meter) 2 3 meter
TCD H

(x D  x C )  (y D  y C )
2 2 (x D  x C )
TCD 2.28571428 6 kN
   TCD = 5.432799106 kN
( 2 meter)  (1.75 meter  6.0625 meter)
2 2 2 meter

S AB  (x B  x A ) 2  (y B  y A ) 2 = ( 2 meter) 2  (4 meter  0 meter) 2 = 4.472135955 meter

S BC  (x C  x B ) 2  (y C  y B ) 2 = (3 meter) 2  (6.0625 meter  4 meter) 2 = 3.64059147 meter
SCD  (x D  x C ) 2  (y D  y C ) 2 = ( 2 meter) 2  (1.75 meter  6.0625 meter) 2 =4.753699217 meter
S  (S AB  S BC  SCD ) = 12.86642664 meter
Tmaximum = maximum of ( TAB , TBC & TCD ) = 5.432799106 kN
Tminimum = minimum of ( TAB , TBC & TCD ) = 2.773783977 kN
T 5.432799106  10000 N
A  maximum  2
= 25.87047193 mm2
σ allowable 210 N/mm
TS  TS   TS   TS 
ΔS        
AE  AE  AB  AE  BC  AE  CD

 5.111012521  1000 N  4.472135955 m   2.773783977  1000 N  3.64059147 m 

ΔS   2 
 2 
 25.87047193 mm  200  1000 N/mm  AB  25.87047193 mm  200  1000 N/mm  BC
2 2

 5.432799106  1000 N  4.753699217 m 

 2 
 25.87047193 mm  200  1000 N/mm  CD
2

 ΔS = 0.011360683 meter

 So = S – ΔS = 12.86642664 meter – 0.011360683 meter = 12.85506596 meter

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Question (3): A flexible cable whose ends are supported at different elevation, subjected to
concentrated loads as shown in Figure 3. Determine -
(i) horizontal component of cable tension (H), (ii) cable sag at B, C & D (iii) y co-ordinate of
cable at B, C & D (iv) cable tension (T) in each segment, (v) maximum and minimum cable
tension, Tmaximum & Tminimum, (vi) cross-sectional area of the cable (A) & (vii) stretched length (S),
elongation (∆S) & unstretched length (So) of the cable. Given, allowable tensile stress (σallowable) =
40 ksi and modulus of elasticity (E) of cable material = 29000 ksi.

6/
A

3/
D

B
5 kip
C
3 kip

5 kip
Figure 3
/ / / /
3 5 7 3

Question (4): A flexible cable whose ends are supported at different elevation (see Figure 4)
subjected to a uniformly distributed load of 0.20 kip per horizontal foot. Determine,
(i) horizontal component of cable tension (H), (ii) mid-span sag (f), (iii) equation of the cable
having origin at left support, (iv) maximum cable tension (Tmaximum), (v) cross-sectional area of
the cable (A), (vi) stretched length (S), elongation (∆S) and unstretched length (So) of the cable
(vii) lowest point of the cable & it’s location, (viii) maximum cable sag & it’s location, (ix) slope
of cable at mid-span. Given, allowable tensile stress (σallowable) = 50 ksi and elastic modulus (E) =
30000 ksi.

25 feet
cable chord
cable
12 feet

60 feet 20 feet
0.20 kip/horizontal foot Figure 4

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Here, d = 12 feet at distance x = 60 feet (from left support)
4fx
d  2 (L  x)
L
4f  60 feet
 12 feet  (80 feet  60 feet)  f = 16 feet = Hdmid-span
(80 feet) 2
General Cable Theorem, Hd = M
wL2 wL2 0.20 kip/ft  (80 feet) 2
 Hdmid-span = Mmid-span  H×f =  H=  = 10 kip
8 8f 8  16 feet
h = 25 feet and L = 80 feet
tan α = (h / L) = (25 feet / 80 feet) = 0.3125 or α = tan-1(h/L) = tan-1(0.3125) = 17.35402 degree
[this α value is negative because cable chord slope is negative/downward]

cable equation (origin at left support), y   xtanα  d

h 4fx
y   x  2 (L  x)
L L
25 feet 4  16 feet  x
y x (80 feet  x)
80 feet (80 feet ) 2
 y  0.3125x  0.01(80x  x 2 ) where, both x & y are in feet units.

cable tension will be highest where slope (θ) is maximum (i.e., highest point of cable)
dy
 tanθ  0.3125  0.01(80  2x)
dx
dy
at x=0 feet (left support, highest point of cable),  tanθ  0.3125  0.01(80  2  0 feet)
dx
= –1.1125
tan θ = –1.1125
θ = tan-1(–1.1125) = –48.04837 degree
H 10 kip
Tmaximum   = 14.95879 kip
cosθ cos( 48.04837)
T 14.95879 kip
A  maximum  = 0.299175 inch2
σ allowable 50 ksi
8 f2
S  L(secα   .............)
3 L2sec3α
8 (16 feet) 2
 S  80 feet  [sec( 17.35402)   .............)
3 (80 feet) 2  [sec( 17.35402)]3
 S = 93.626895 feet
2
80 feet  dy 
alternatively, S   1    dx
0
 dx 
80 feet
S 1  [ 0.3125  0.01(80  2x)]2 dx = 93.626895 feet (using integration function of
0
calculator)
HL   h  16  f  
2 3

ΔS  1        .............
AE   L  3  L 
10 kip  80 feet   25 feet  2 16  16 feet  3 
 ΔS  1        .............
0.299175 inch 2  30000 ksi   80 feet  3  80 feet  
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 ΔS = 0.101642 feet
H 80 feet   dy  
2

AE 0
alternatively, ΔS  1    dx
  dx  

 ΔS 
AE 0

H 80 feet

1  {0.3125  0.01(80  2x)}2 dx = 0.101642 feet (using integration function of
calculator)
So = S – ΔS = 93.626895 feet – 0.101642 feet = 93.525253 feet
at lowest point of cable, y = ymaximum, slope at lowest point, θ = 0 degree, dy/dx = tanθ = 0
dy
 tanθ  0.3125  0.01(80  2x) = 0
dx
 x = 55.625 feet (from left support) [lowest point of the cable]
& corresponding, y  y maximum  0.3125x  0.01(80x  x 2 )
=  (0.3125  55.625)  0.01(80  55.625  55.6252 ) = –30.94141 feet
d d 4f
for maximum cable sag/dip, (d)  0  (d)  2 (L  2x) = 0  x = L/2
dx dx L
x = L/2 = 80 feet / 2 = 40 feet
4  16 feet  40 feet
d (80 feet  40 feet) = 16 feet = f = dmid-span
(80 feet) 2
slope of cable at mid-span (x = L/2 = 40 feet)
dy
 tanθ  0.3125  0.01(80  2x)
dx
 tanθ  0.3125  0.01(80  2  40 feet) = –0.3125
 θ = tan-1(–0.3125) = –17.35402 degree = α

[note: at x = L/2, θ = α (always) and x = L/2, d = dmaximum = dmid-span = f (always)]

Question (5): A flexible cable whose ends are supported at different elevation (see Figure 5)
subjected to a uniformly distributed load of 0.20 kip per horizontal foot. Determine,
(i) horizontal component of cable tension (H), (ii) mid-span sag (f), (iii) equation of the cable
having origin at left support, (iv) maximum cable tension (Tmaximum), (v) cross-sectional area of
the cable (A), (vi) stretched length (S), elongation (∆S) and unstretched length (So) of the cable
(vii) lowest point of the cable & it’s location, (viii) maximum cable sag & it’s location, (ix) slope
of cable at mid-span. Given, allowable tensile stress (σallowable) = 50 ksi and elastic modulus (E) =
30000 ksi.

25 feet cable chord

30.75 feet
cable

20 feet 60 feet
0.20 kip/horizontal foot Figure 5

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 25 feet
Here, d = = 30.75 feet –  60 feet = 12 feet at distance x = 20 feet (from left support)
80 feet
4fx
d (L  x)
L2
4f  20 feet
 12 feet  (80 feet  20 feet)  f = 16 feet = Hdmid-span
(80 feet) 2
General Cable Theorem, Hd = M
wL2 wL2 0.20 kip/ft  (80 feet) 2
 Hdmid-span = Mmid-span  H×f =  H=  = 10 kip
8 8f 8  16 feet
h = 25 feet and L = 80 feet
tan α = (h / L) = (25 feet / 80 feet) = 0.3125 or α = tan-1(h/L) = tan-1(0.3125) = 17.35402 degree
[this α value is positive because cable chord slope is positive/upward]

cable equation (origin at left support), y   xtanα  d

h 4fx
y   x  2 (L  x)
L L
25 feet 4  16 feet  x
y x (80 feet  x)
80 feet (80 feet ) 2
 y  0.3125x  0.01(80x  x 2 ) where, both x & y are in feet units.

cable tension will be highest where slope (θ) is maximum (i.e., highest point of cable)
dy
 tanθ  0.3125  0.01(80  2x)
dx
dy
at x=80 feet (right support, highest point of cable),  tanθ  0.3125  0.01(80  2  80 feet)
dx
= +1.1125
tan θ = +1.1125
θ = tan-1(+1.1125) = +48.04837 degree
H 10 kip
Tmaximum   = 14.95879 kip
cosθ cos(48.04837)
T 14.95879 kip
A  maximum  = 0.299175 inch2
σ allowable 50 ksi
8 f2
S  L(secα   .............)
3 L2sec3α
8 (16 feet) 2
 S  80 feet  [sec( 17.35402)   .............)
3 (80 feet) 2  [sec( 17.35402)]3
 S = 93.626895 feet
2
80 feet  dy 
alternatively, S   1    dx
0
 dx 
80 feet
S 1  [ 0.3125  0.01(80  2x)]2 dx = 93.626895 feet (using integration function of
0
calculator)
HL   h  16  f  
2 3

ΔS   1        .............
AE   L  3  L 

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 10 kip  80 feet   25 feet  2 16  16 feet  3 
 ΔS  1        .............
0.299175 inch  30000 ksi   80 feet 
2
3  80 feet  
 ΔS = 0.101642 feet
H 80 feet   dy  
2

AE 0
alternatively, ΔS   1    dx
  dx  
 ΔS 
AE 0

H 80 feet

1  {0.3125  0.01(80  2x)}2 dx = 0.101642 feet (using integration function of
calculator)
So = S – ΔS = 93.626895 feet – 0.101642 feet = 93.525253 feet
at lowest point of cable, y = ymaximum, slope at lowest point, θ = 0 degree, dy/dx = tanθ = 0
dy
 tanθ  0.3125  0.01(80  2x) = 0
dx
 x = 24.375 feet (from left support) [lowest point of the cable]
& corresponding, y  y maximum  0.3125x  0.01(80x  x 2 )
=  (0.3125  24.375)  0.01(80  24.375  24.3752 ) = –30.94141 feet
d d 4f
for maximum cable sag/dip, (d)  0  (d)  2 (L  2x) = 0  x = L/2
dx dx L
x = L/2 = 80 feet / 2 = 40 feet
4  16 feet  40 feet
d (80 feet  40 feet) = 16 feet = f = dmid-span
(80 feet) 2
slope of cable at mid-span (x = L/2 = 40 feet)
dy
 tanθ  0.3125  0.01(80  2x)
dx
 tanθ  0.3125  0.01(80  2  40 feet) = +0.3125
 θ = tan-1(+0.3125) = +17.35402 degree = α
[note: at x = L/2, θ = α (always) and x = L/2, d = dmaximum = dmid-span = f (always)]

Question (6): A flexible cable whose ends are supported at same elevation, subjected to
concentrated loads as shown in Figure 6. Determine -
(i) horizontal component of cable tension (H), (ii) cable tension (T) in each segment, (iii)
maximum and minimum cable tension, Tmaximum & Tminimum, (iv) cross-sectional area of the cable
(A) & (v) stretched length (S), elongation (∆S) & unstretched length (So) of the cable. Given,
allowable tensile stress (σallowable) = 210 MPa and modulus of elasticity (E) of cable material = 200
GPa
A D

4m

3 kN C

8 kN
Figure 6
m m m
2 3 3
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Question (7): A flexible cable whose ends are supported at same elevation (see Figure 7)
subjected to a uniformly distributed load of 120 lb. per horizontal foot. Determine,
(i) horizontal component of cable tension (H), (ii) mid-span sag (f), (iii) equation of the cable
having origin at left support, (iv) maximum cable tension (Tmaximum), (v) cross-sectional area of
the cable (A), (vi) stretched length (S), elongation (∆S) and unstretched length (So) of the cable
(vii) lowest point of the cable & it’s location, (viii) maximum cable sag & it’s location, (ix) slope
of cable at mid-span. Given, allowable tensile stress (σallowable) = 80 ksi and elastic modulus (E) =
30000 ksi.

10 feet
cable

80 feet
120 lb./horizontal foot Figure 7

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