UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

THEORY 1 – THEORY OF STRUCTURES 1

MODULE 6: CABLES AND ARCHES

UNIT 1: CABLES

Prepared by:

Melkisidick L. Angloan, CE, ME-1

 UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
In this unit, here are the following desired learning outcomes:
✘ Analyze cables subjected to concentrated loads
✘ Analyze cables subjected to uniformly distributed loads

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 Cables
Cables are often used in engineering structures for support and to transmit loads from
one member to another. In the force analysis of such systems, the weight of the cable itself may be
neglected; however, when cables are used as guys for radio antennas, electrical transmission lines,
and a like, the cable weight may become important and must be included in the analysis. When
deriving the necessary relations between the force in the cable and its slope cables are assumed to be
inextensible and perfectly flexible. Due to its flexibility, the cable offers no resistance to shear or
bending and, therefore, the tensile force acting in the cable is always tangent to the cable at points
along its length. (Hibbeler, 2006)

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 Cable Subjected to Concentrated Loads

When a cable of negligible weight supports

several concentrated loads, the cable takes the form
of several straight-line segments, each of which is
subjected to a constant tensile force. If the system is
determinate based on the given and unknowns, it is
analyzed by simply using the equations of
equilibrium.

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EXAMPLE 1. Determine the tensile force in each segment and the unknown dimension of the cable shown
in the figure. Calculate the reaction at each support.

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Determine the tensile force in each segment and the unknown dimension of the cable shown
in the figure. Calculate the reaction at each support.

*** Cut the cable just after joint C and consider left side
𝑀𝐴 = 0 ↺ +

4 3
𝑇𝐶𝐷 4 + 𝑇𝐶𝐷 4 − 3 2 − 8(4) = 0
5 5
𝟗𝟓
𝑻𝑪𝑫 = = 𝟔. 𝟕𝟗 𝒌𝑵
𝟏𝟒

𝐹𝑉 = 0 ↑ +

4
𝑇 + 𝐴𝑉 − 3 − 8 = 0
5 𝐶𝐷
4 95
+ 𝐴𝑉 − 3 − 8 = 0
5 14 𝐹𝐻 = 0 → +
𝟑𝟗
𝑨𝑽 = = 𝟓. 𝟓𝟕 𝒌𝑵 3
𝟕 𝑇 − 𝐴𝐻 = 0
5 𝐶𝐷
3 95
− 𝐴𝐻 = 0
5 14
𝟓𝟕
𝑨𝑯 = = 𝟒. 𝟎𝟕 𝒌𝑵
𝟏𝟒
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Determine the tensile force in each segment and the unknown dimension of the cable shown
in the figure. Calculate the reaction at each support.

*** At joint C *** by Pythagorean Theorem

𝑇𝐶𝐵 = 𝑇𝐶𝐵−𝑉 2 + 𝑇𝐶𝐵−𝐻 2

𝐹𝑉 = 0 ↑ +
2 2
18 57
4 𝑇𝐶𝐵 = +
𝑇 + 𝑇𝐶𝐵−𝑉 − 8 = 0 7 14
5 𝐶𝐷
4 95 𝑻𝑪𝑩 = 𝟒. 𝟖𝟐 𝒌𝑵
+ 𝑇𝐶𝐵−𝑉 − 8 = 0
5 14
18
𝑇𝐶𝐵−𝑉 = = 2.57 𝑘𝑁 *** from the right triangle
7
𝑇𝐶𝐵−𝑉 4 − ℎ
𝐹𝐻 = 0 → + tan 𝜃𝐶𝐵 = =
𝑇𝐶𝐵−𝐻 2
𝑇𝐶𝐵−𝑉 18
3 ℎ = 4−2 =4−2 7
𝑇 − 𝑇𝐶𝐵−𝐻 = 0 𝑇𝐶𝐵−𝐻 57
5 𝐶𝐷 14
3 95 𝟓𝟐
− 𝑇𝐶𝐵−𝐻 = 0 𝒉= = 𝟐. 𝟕𝟒 𝒎
5 14 𝟏𝟗
57
𝑇𝐶𝐵−𝐻 = = 4.07 𝑘𝑁
14

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Determine the tensile force in each segment and the unknown dimension of the cable shown
in the figure. Calculate the reaction at each support.

*** At joint A *** by Pythagorean Theorem

𝑇𝐴𝐵 = 𝑇𝐴𝐵−𝑉 2 + 𝑇𝐴𝐵−𝐻 2

𝐹𝑉 = 0 ↑ +
2 2
39 57
𝐴𝑉 − 𝑇𝐴𝐵−𝑉 = 0 𝑇𝐴𝐵 = +
39 7 14
− 𝑇𝐴𝐵−𝑉 = 0 𝑻𝑨𝑩 = 𝟔. 𝟗𝟎 𝒌𝑵
7
39
𝑇𝐴𝐵−𝑉 = = 5.57 𝑘𝑁
7
*** from the right triangle (check “h”)
𝐹𝐻 = 0 → + 𝑇𝐴𝐵−𝑉 ℎ
cot 𝜃𝐴𝐵 = =
𝑇𝐴𝐵−𝐻 − 𝐴𝐻 = 0 𝑇𝐴𝐵−𝐻 2
57 𝑇𝐴𝐵−𝑉 39
𝑇𝐴𝐵−𝐻 − =0 ℎ=2 =2 7
14 𝑇𝐴𝐵−𝐻 57
57 14
𝑇𝐴𝐵−𝐻 = = 4.07 𝑘𝑁 𝟓𝟐
14 𝒉= = 𝟐. 𝟕𝟒 𝒎
𝟏𝟗

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Determine the tensile force in each segment and the unknown dimension of the cable shown
in the figure. Calculate the reaction at each support.

*** Considering the whole figure

𝐹𝑉 = 0 ↑ +

𝐴𝑉 + 𝐷𝑉 − 3 − 8 = 0
39
+ 𝐷𝑉 − 3 − 8 = 0
7
𝟑𝟖
𝑫𝑽 = = 𝟓. 𝟒𝟑 𝒌𝑵
𝟕

𝐹𝐻 = 0 → +

𝐷𝐻 − 𝐴𝐻 = 0
57
𝐷𝐻 − =0
14
𝟓𝟕
𝑫𝑯 = = 𝟒. 𝟎𝟕 𝒌𝑵
𝟏𝟒

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Determine the tensile force in each segment and the unknown dimension of the cable shown
in the figure. Calculate the reaction at each support.

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 Cable Subjected to Uniformly Distributed Load

A typical example of this system is a

suspension bridge, in which the deck is
suspended from the cable using a series of
close and equally spaced hangers. The
tensile force at a point within the cable
increases as its distance from the lowest
point increases. Considering the cable
supported on both ends as shown in the
figure, the maximum tensile force is
experienced at the highest point on the
cable.

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Derivation of Relationships
*** from the Force Triangle

𝑇 2 = 𝑇𝑂 2 + 𝑤𝑥 2 (Pythagorean Theorem)
𝑻 = 𝑻𝑶 𝟐 + 𝒘𝒙 𝟐

𝒘𝒙
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 =
𝑻𝑶

*** Considering segment OP

𝑀𝑃 = 0 ↻ +
𝑥
𝑇𝑂 𝑦 − 𝑤𝑥 =0
2
𝒘 𝟐
𝒚= 𝒙 → 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒
𝟐𝑻𝑶

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EXAMPLE 2. A girder weighing 12 kN/m is supported by a cable as shown in the figure. Determine the
tensile force at each end and at the lowest point.

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A girder weighing 12 kN/m is supported by a cable as shown in the figure. Determine the
tensile force at each end and at the lowest point.

*** Locate Lowest Point (O) *** Substitute Eq.2 in Eq.1

𝑤 2
𝑦= 𝑥 30 − 𝑥 2
2𝑇𝑂 𝑥2 =
2
𝑥 2 + 60𝑥 − 900 = 0
@ 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝐴: 𝑥 = 30 − 𝑥 ; 𝑦 = 12𝑚
12
12 = 30 − 𝑥 2 𝑥 = −72.426 𝑚 𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡
2𝑇𝑂 𝒙 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟒𝟐𝟔 𝒎
2
30 − 𝑥
𝑇𝑂 = → 𝐸𝑞. 1
2 *** from Eq.2
@ 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝐶: 𝑥 = 𝑥 ; 𝑦 = 6𝑚 𝑇𝑂 = 12.426 2
12 2
6= 𝑥 𝑻𝑶 = 𝟏𝟓𝟒. 𝟒𝟏 𝒌𝑵
2𝑇𝑂
𝑇𝑂 = 𝑥 2 → 𝐸𝑞. 2

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A girder weighing 12 kN/m is supported by a cable as shown in the figure. Determine the
tensile force at each end and at the lowest point.

*** Tensile Force @ any point

𝑇= 𝑇𝑂 2 + 𝑤𝑥 2

@ 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝐴: 𝑥 = 17.574
𝑇𝐴 = 154.41 2 + 12 17.574 2

𝑻𝑨 = 𝟐𝟔𝟏. 𝟑𝟕 𝒌𝑵

@ 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝐵: 𝑥 = 12.426
𝑇𝐵 = 154.41 2 + 12 12.426 2

𝑻𝑩 = 𝟐𝟏𝟒. 𝟔𝟔 𝒌𝑵

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 thanks!
Any questions?

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 UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

THEORY 1 – THEORY OF STRUCTURES 1

MODULE 6: CABLES AND ARCHES

UNIT 2: ARCHES

Prepared by:

Melkisidick L. Angloan, CE, ME-1

 UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
In this unit, here are the following desired learning outcomes:
✘ Know the different types of arch structures
✘ Analyze three-hinged type arch

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 Arches
Just like cables, arches are used to reduce bending moments in long span structures. An
arch acts as an inverted cable so it receives its load mainly in compression although, because of its
rigidity, it must resist some bending and shear depending upon how it is loaded and shaped. Several
types of this structure can be constructed depending on the material used and the orientation of
supports which makes each type behave differently from each other. A fixed arch and two-hinged
arch are the two indeterminate type of arch in nature while the three-hinged arch is a determinate
structure.

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 Funicular Arch

Funicular arch is a parabolic shaped arch

subjected to a uniform horizontally distributed
vertical load. This type of arch resist the applied load
under pure compression only because no bending or
shear force occur within the arch.

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 Three-Hinged Arch
The presence of an intermediate hinge within
the arch span makes it determinate. As discussed
earlier in this course, hinged joints offers no reaction
to rotation, therefore, detaching the structure at that
point gives additional equation to analyze the
structure.

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 The three-hinged arch shown has a parabolic shape. Show that this is a funicular arch and is
EXAMPLE subjected only to axial compression at an intermediate point such as point D. Assume the
load is uniformly transmitted to the arch ribs.

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 The three-hinged arch shown has a parabolic shape. Show that this is a funicular arch and is
EXAMPLE subjected only to axial compression at an intermediate point such as point D. Assume the
load is uniformly transmitted to the arch ribs.

*** Consider the whole structure

𝑀𝐴 = 0 ↺ +

40𝐵𝑉 − 8 40 20 = 0
𝑩𝑽 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝑵

𝐹𝑉 = 0 ↑ +

𝐴𝑉 + 𝐵𝑉 − 8 40 = 0
𝐴𝑉 + 160 − 8 40 = 0
𝑨𝑽 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝑵

*** Detach @ joint C and consider left side

𝑀𝐶 = 0 ↺ +

10𝐵𝐻 + 20𝐵𝑉 − 8 20 10 = 0
10𝐵𝐻 + 20 160 − 8 20 10 = 0
𝐵𝐻 = −160 𝑘𝑁
𝑩𝑯 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝑵 (𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡)

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 The three-hinged arch shown has a parabolic shape. Show that this is a funicular arch and is
subjected only to axial compression at an intermediate point such as point D. Assume the
load is uniformly transmitted to the arch ribs.

*** Locate point D

𝑦 = −𝑐𝑥 2 → 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝐸𝑄𝑁 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑎

@ x = 20 m ; y = 10 m
2
10 1
10 = −𝑐 20 ; 𝑐= 2
=−
− 20 40

𝑥2
𝑦=− → 𝐸𝑄𝑁 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝐴𝑟𝑐ℎ
40

@ point D, x = 10 m
10 2
𝑦=− = −𝟐. 𝟓 𝒎
40

*** Slope at point D

𝐹𝑉 = 0 ↑ + 𝐹𝐻 = 0 → +
𝑑𝑦 2𝑥 𝑥
𝐶𝑉 + 𝐵𝑉 − 8 20 = 0 𝐶𝐻 − 𝐵𝐻 = 0 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑚 = =− =−
𝐶𝐻 − 160 = 0 𝑑𝑥 40 20
𝐶𝑉 + 160 − 8 20 = 0
𝑪𝑽 = 𝟎 𝑪𝑯 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝑵
@ point D, x = 10 m
10 1
𝑚=− =−
24 20 2
 The three-hinged arch shown has a parabolic shape. Show that this is a funicular arch and is
subjected only to axial compression at an intermediate point such as point D. Assume the
load is uniformly transmitted to the arch ribs.

*** Considering segment CD

𝐹𝑉 = 0 ↑ +

1
𝑁𝐷 − 8 10 = 0
5
𝑵𝑫 = 𝟖𝟎 𝟓 𝒌𝑵 = 𝟏𝟕𝟖. 𝟖𝟗 𝒌𝑵

𝐹𝐻 = 0 → +

2
𝐶𝐻 − 𝑁𝐷 = 0
5
2
160 − 𝑁𝐷 = 0
5
Therefore, it is shown that funicular arches resist applied load 𝑵𝑫 = 𝟖𝟎 𝟓 𝒌𝑵 = 𝟏𝟕𝟖. 𝟖𝟗 𝒌𝑵
in pure compression only.
𝑀𝐷 = 0 ↺ +

𝑀𝐷 + 8 10 5 − 2.5𝐶𝐻 = 0
𝑀𝐷 + 8 10 5 − 2.5 160 = 0
𝑴𝑫 = 𝟎
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 thanks!
Any questions?

26
 Credits
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