7.

5 INFLUENCES OF ELASTIC STRETCH,

TEMPERATURE CHANGE AND SUPPORT SLIP
ON MAXIMUM CABLE TENSION
7.6 CABLE SUSPENDED BRIDGES

Axial Forces in
Funicular Systems:
Cables & Arches
Chapter 7

7.1 INTRODUCTION 7.7 FUNICULAR ARCH

7.2 FUNICULAR POLYGON 7.8 NON-FUNICULAR BEHAVIOUR
7.3 CABLES WITH CONCENTRATED LOADS OF ARCHES

7.4 CABLE WITH DISTRIBUTED LOADS

 Funicular Systems:
Cables & Ideal Arches

Assumptions: (i) the cable is perfectly flexible.

(ii) the cable is inextensible.
 P MB = 0 ‘First-order’
4P/5 P/5
structural
Pin joint at B analysis
B B 4P/15
B N2
N1 3 3
3a
4P/15 A C 1 4 C
4P/15 A 4P/15
a 4a 4P/5 Free-bodies P/5
4P/5 P/5
Loading diagram
MB sagging or hogging?

4P/5
✗
P P/5
Rigid joint at B MB = 0 !
B MB B MB X = 4P/15
X
✗ 3a
B

A C C
X X X A X
a 4a Free-bodies
4P/5 P/5
4P/5 P/5
Loading diagram The frame has a ‘FUNICULAR’ configuration!
(No bending moments or shear forces!
 CONCEPT OF ‘FUNICULAR POLYGON’

A
P1 F1
B F2
O
P2 R
pole
P3 C F3
P1 P2 F4
P3
D
Forces on a body
Force polygon

a e
P1 P2 P3
F1 d F4
F2 F3
b
c
R

Funicular polygon
 LOADED CABLE (FUNICLE)

A
P1 F1
B F2
O
P2 R
pole
C F3
P3 F4
D
Force polygon
e
a

N1 b d N4
N2 N3
c
P3
P1 P2

Loaded funicle
(string or cable)
FUNICULAR ARCH

A
F1 P1
F2 B
O
R P2
pole
F3 C
F4 P3
D

Force polygon

P2
P3
P1
c
N1 b N2 N3 d N4
a e

Funicular arch
 P P

B
Axial compression
B

3a A C
4P/15 A C
4P/15
a 4a
a 4a
4P/5 P/5
4P/5 P/5
Simply supported structure
Funicular (‘Ideal’) Arch P
y(x) = Mo(x) / H

4P/5 P/5 y
a 4a
H x
H
a 4a
4P/15
4P/15 A C 4P/5 P/5
3a

B Mo(x)
Axial tension
P M(x)= Mo(x) – Hy(x)
Cable System M(x)= 0 for a funicular system
 x
H A B Cable subject to
y(x) H concentrated
loads
VA y C
VB
hC M ( x)  0  M o ( x)  Hy( x)  0
L ‘sag’
M o ( x)
H
y ( x)

L
A B b
H H VA  W M Co
H=
1 2 hC L hC
4
3 a
VA
C VB  W
VB L
a b
Vi
Ni Ni = Vi 2 + H 2
V2 W
VA V1 V5 Shear Forces H i H
Response of V4
V3 VB
simply Vi Ni
supported beam
Bending Moments
MoC
EXAMPLE 7.1
Determine the support reactions, cable tensions, sag at the point B and the
total length for the cable system shown in the Fig.

HA = H A D HD = H

①
③ 2.2143 m
VA B
② VD
C

10 kN
20 kN
2m 3m 2m

Cable system with supports at the same level

Support reactions:
Considering the overall free-body,
 MA  0  (VD ) (7)  (20) (5)  (10) (2)  0  VD =17.143 kN 
 Fy  0  VA  (VD  17.143)  10  20  0  VA =12.857 kN 
 VD HA = H HD = H
A D
D H ① ③
B ② 2.2143 m
C
MC = 0 VA = 12.857 kN VD = 17.143 kN
10 kN 20 kN
H C 2m 3m 2m

V3
Considering the overall free-body of the segment DC,
(a) free-body DC MC  0  (VD ) (2)  H (2.2143)  0
 (17.143) (2)  H (2.2143)  0  H=15.484 kN
Cable Tensions: (N1, N2 and N3 in the three segments)
VA VD
VA D
H A
A H
H
H
H
H B N2 N3
V3 = VD = 17.143 kN
N1 10 kN 2 A
V = V ─10 = 2.857 kN
VA = V1 = 12.857 kN
(b) Section through segment 1 (c) Section through segment 2 (d) Section through segment 3

V1  VA  12.857 kN  N1  (12.857)2  (15.484)2  20.126 kN

V2  VA -10  2.857 kN Ni = Vi 2 + H 2  N2  (2.857)2  (15.484)2  15.745 kN
V3  VD  17.143 kN
 N3  (17.143)2  (15.484)2  23.101 kN
 HA = H A D HD = H

①
③ 2.2143 m
VA B
② VD
C

10 kN
20 kN
2m 3m 2m

Sag at B:
Considering the free-body of the segment AB,
MB  0  (VA  12.857) (2)  (H  15.484) (yB )  0  yB  1.6607m
Length of the cable:
Total cable length, S  S1  S2  S3
 (2)2  (1.6607)2  (3)2  (2.2143  1.6607)2  (2)2  (2.2143)2
 8.6340 m
(Approximate solution by applying
2
 y    y
2 4 6
S   Si   xi
 1  y i  1  y i 
1   i  S xi 1  1  i        
 x i
 2  x i 8  x i
i i  i 
   16  x i  

S ≈ 8.744 m
The answer works out to 8.967 m if we consider only the first two terms, and to 8.472 m
if we consider the first three terms
EXAMPLE 7.2

Suppose in the problem Example 7.1, the sag at C, hC = 2.2143m is not given, but instead
the total length of the cable is given as 8.643m. Analyse the cable to determine the sag at
C and the horizontal tension H.
HA = H A D HD = H

hc
VA B
C VD

S = 8.634 m
10 kN
20 kN
2m 3m 2m

Cable system with supports at the same level

 MA  0  (VD ) (7)  (20) (5)  (10) (2)  0  VD  17.143 kN 

 Fy  0  VA  (VD  17.143)  10  20  0  VA  12.857 kN 
MB  0  (12.857  2)  HhB  25.714 kNm hB 3
  hB  3 hC
MC  0  (17.143  2)  HhC  34.286 kNm hC 4 4
Total cable length, S  S1  S2  S3  8.634 m
(2)2  (hB )2  (3)2  (hC - hB )2  (2)2  (hC )2  8.634 m
9hC 2 hC 2 hC 2
 2 1  3 1  2 1  8.634 m
16 x 4 16 x 9 4
Solving by trial and error method (or any numerical procedure such as the Bisection
method), HA = H A D HD = H
hC = 2.215 m
B hc
hB = 1.661 m V A C VD
Horizontal Tension: S = 8.634 m
10 kN
20 kN
HhB  25.714
2m 3m 2m
 H  15.481 kN

Alternatively, considering the Binomial approximation (first two terms) and solving the
resultant quadratic equation, we arrive at approximate solution of hC = 2.019 m. It may be
noted that had the value of S been given as 8.97 m, this approximate solution would have
yielded the correct result hC = 2.215 m.

  y
2 4 6
 1  y i  1  y i 
S xi 1  1  i        
 2  x i  8  x i  16  x i  
i  
 Cable subject to concentrated loads
Supports at same level
x VA0
H A B H x
y(x)
H
A y(x) M(x)= 0
VA y C
VB
bi
VA  VAo   Wi hC N(x)
L
a L M ( x)  0  VAo ( x)  Wi xi   Hy( x)  0
VB  VBo   Wi i
L
M o ( x)
o
M ( x) H
Supports at different levels y ( x)
x
H A VA

y(x)
yB x
h(x) B H
y H A y(x) M(x)= 0
y VA
VA  VAo  H B C hC yB
L VB VAo  H
L N(x)
y ‘sag’
VB  VBo  H B L
M ( x)  0  VA x  Wi xi   Hy( x)  0
L
x M o (x) M o ( x)
h(x)  y(x)  yB H= H 
L h(x) x
y ( x)  yB
L
EXAMPLE 7.3

Consider the same problem of Example 7.1 with the support D lowered by 1m, retaining
the same sag at C, hC = 2.2143m and retaining the same load positions along the
horizontal span. Find the support reactions, cable tensions and total length of the cable.
hc = 2.2143 m
HA = H A H = 15.484 kN
D 1m
①
HD = H
③
VA B ② ∆y3
C
10 kN 20 kN VD
VA = 15.07 kN
2m 3m 2m VD = 14.93 kN

Cable system with supports at different levels

Cables with the same horizontal span, L and the same sag, h(x), subject to the
same system of vertical loads located along the horizontal span, have the
same horizontal tension H, regardless of differences in the levels of the two
end supports.
 Cable subject to distributed loads

Golden gate bridge, San Fransisco (1937)

 Cable subject to distributed loads
dV
 q( x )
dx
V(x) + ∆V N(x) + ∆N N(x)
V(x) V ( x ) dy
y
θ(x) tan ( x )  
H dx
H H dy
 V ( x)  H
θ(x) θ(x) + ∆θ ∆y dx
1  y' 2
H q(x) dy d2y
y'  H 2  q( x )
θ(x) dx
dx
N(x) V(x) 1
x N ( x)  H 1  y 2
o
∆x

Cable subject to distributed loads on

horizontal span: q(x) = qo qoL qoL
2 2 qo L2
qo L2 H
H y
8h 8h
d 2 y qo qo 2
 y( x)  x A B
dx 2 H 2H h
x
qo L2 o qo
H
8h
L/2 L/2
 16h 2 
2
 qo L  L
N max  H  2
  H 1  2 
 2   L  Symmetric Parabolic Cable
 Cable subject to distributed loads
qoL qoL
y dx 2 2
q L2 qo L2
H o y H
8h 8h
dy
A h B
o x x
o
qo

L/2 L/2
The elemental cable length, ds, is given by
L
ds  dx2  dy 2

 dx 1   y '
2
Symmetric Parabolic Cable
 1 2
ds  dx 1   y ' 
 2 

L
 y '( x ) 2  qo 8hx
S   1  dx y ( x)  x 2
0 
2  H L

 1  8hx 2 
L2
 8h 2 
S  2  1   2  dx S  L 1  2 
 2  L  
0   3L 
 Surprise Quiz

Determine the design (maximum) tension in the cable shown, spanning 8 m with a sag
of 2 m at the midspan. The cable is subjected to a point load of 80 kN at 2 m from the
end A and a uniformly distributed load of 10 kN/m intensity, throughout the span. Also
find the sag at C.

VA VB
2m 6m

H H
A h=2m B
C
D
80kN

qo = 10 kN/m
Surprise Quiz - Solution
VA VB
2m 6m
Overall equilibrium, H H
A h=2m
10  8 6 B
VA   80   100 kN C
2 8 80kN D
10  8 2
VB   80   60 kN
2 8
qo = 10kN/m

To determine horizontal tension H,

M oD
MD  0  H 
hD
where, M o  10  8  80  2  6  2
2

D
8 8 3
160 kNm
Hence,
160
H  80 kN
2

Maximum (Design) Tension T,

T  (100) 2  (80) 2
128 kN
 VA = 100 kN
Sag at C, VB = 60 kN
2m 6m
Mc  0 H = 80 kN H
10  2 2
100  2  80  hc  0 A h=2m B
2 C
 hc  2.25 m 80 kN D

Maximum Sag corresponds to qo = 10kN/m

maximum ‘free bending moment’ (M0).

M 0 max  SF0  0 VA VB
2m 6m

H H
A h=2m B
C
80 kN D

qo = 10kN/m

100 kN
80 kN

60 kN Maximum Sag is at C.
 Cable subject to distributed loads
What will be H when sag is doubled?
qo L1 qo L1
q L2 2 2
H1  o 1 qo L21 qo 2
8h y H1 
8h y  x2 y (x )  x
2H
A h B
o x qo 8h
qo  y ''   constant 
H L2
L1/2 L1/2
L1
qo L2 h  2h
qo L2
2  L2  2L1
2 L1  2L1
H2  ? H2  ?
A B
2h
 
2
qo 2 L1
H2 
o 8  2h 
qo
qo L12
L2/2 L2/2  H2 
8h
L2
 H2  H1

If h is increased or decreased, L will suitably get modified in keeping

with the parabolic equation, but H = qo/y” always remains unchanged
 Symmetric Parabolic Cable

qo L qo L
2 2 qo L2
y H
q L2 8h
H o
8h
A h B
o q  4h 
x y( x)  o x2   2  x2
qo 2H L 
L/2 L/2 qo x 2
H
L 2y (x )
qo L2
Unsymmetric Parabolic Cable y (L1 )  h1 qo L12 qo L22
qo L1 y ( L2 )  h2 H  
B H 2h1 2h2
y
qoL2
 H 
A 8hc
H h2
h1 h hc
O C
x qo
qo N ( x)  H 1  y 2 y (x )  x
H
L1 L2 2
q x
 N (x )  H 1   o 
L/2  H 
 Unsymmetric Parabolic Cable
L12 L22
B   constant
h1 h2
∆/2
∆
A y h2 L1 L L L L
  2  1 2 
hc h1 h2 h1  h2 h1  h2
h1
x yc
OC  
h1
e L/2  L1  L  ;


h1  h2 
L1 L2
 h2 
L  L2  L  



h1  h2 
2
 
 4h 
y =  2  x2 x  e  y  yC  yC  4hC  e 
L  L
2
L 
 2  2 x  L2  yB  h2  4hC  2 
 h   h
 L1 1  8  1    L2 1  8  2  
 L
S 2

3  2L1   
3  2L2   L 
     yB  h2  4hC  2    h2  h1
2 h 2 h22   L
hC    yC  h2
S L  1 
3  L1 L2 
  2
e 
L 8hC

 L1  L  1    and L2  L  1   
   


2 8hc  
2 8hc 
 VB = qoL2
Unsymmetric Parabolic Cable
VA = qoL1
B
H
∆/2
∆
H A y h2
hc
h1 yc
OC x
qo
e L/2
L1 L2
L

qo L2 qo L12 qo L22
H   
8hC 2h1 2h2

1  
L1  L   
 2 8hC     2  h12 h22 
e  L  S  L   
1    8hC  3  L1 L2 
L2  L   
 2 8hC 
EXAMPLE 7.4

A cable is suspended between two points, 75m apart horizontally with its left end lower
than the right end by 10m. The cable supports a uniformly distributed load of 5 kN/m
along the horizontal span. Given that the central sag is 7.5m, determine
(i) The position of the lowest point Alternatively, support reactions can be first computed:
(ii) The horizontal tension H = 468.75kN ,VA = 125.0kN, VB= 250.0kN
(iii) The length of the cable; and L1 = VA /qo = 25.0m and L2 = VB /qo = 50.0m.
(iv) The cable tensions at the two ends.
qo = 5 kN/m
B
HB = H
∆ = 10m y
A h2
HA = H hc = 7.5 m
h VB = qoL2
O C x
VA = qoL1 75/2
L1 L2
L = 75m
1   1 10 
L1  L     (75)     25.0m
 2 8hC   2 (8)(7.5)  qo L2 (5)(75) 2
H    468.75 kN
1   1 10  8hC (8)(7.5)
L2  L     (75)     50.0m
 2 8hC   2 (8)(7.5) 
 qo = 5 kN/m
B HB = H

∆ = 10m y
A h2
HA=H hc = 7.5 m
h VB = qoL2
O C x
VA = qoL1 75/2
L1 L2
L = 75m

 qo  2   2 2 h 2 h 2 
5 x 2
S L  1  2 
y(x)    x    x  y (x) 
 2H   2  468.76  187.5 3  L1 L2 
 
x   L  25 m  h1  3.333 m  2 2
 S  75  2  3.333  13.333
1

x   L2  50 m  h2  13.333 m   75.06 m
3  25 50 

Cable tensions at the two ends:

NA  (qoL1)2  H 2  (5x25)2  468.752  485.130 kN
NB  (qoL2)2  H2  (5x50)2  468.752  531.250 kN
CABLE SUSPENDED BRIDGES

Nmain ≈ Nanchor
H

N anchor cos anchor  N main cos main

Anita Rao, Design and Construction of the Longest Rope-Stayed
Newspaper Foot-Bridge, ASCE J. Professional Issues in Engineering
Education and Practice, Vol. 132, No. 2, pp. 112-117 (April 2006)
 Three-hinged suspension bridge qo VA VB
TB
120m
H H
A B
12m Large no of qo
closely spaced
C suspenders qo (a) Cable AB q
o
MC=0

A’ B’
240 kN C’ 300 kN VA’ 240 kN VC VC 300 kN VB’
25m 35m 20m 40m
(b) Stiffening girder A’C’B’

M B'  0  (VA' )(120)  (120qo )(60)  (240)(95)  (300)(40)  0 M C'  0  (VA' )(60)  (60qo )(30)  (240)(35)  0
 VA'  60qo  290 kN  VA'  30qo  140 kN

qo L2
 qo  5.0 kN/m; VA'  10 kN F y  0  VB'  50 kN
H  750 kN 150 kN
8h 115 kN
qo L 10m 50 kN
VA  VB   300 kN 2m
2
10 kN
10m Shear forces
Max. cable tension 125 kN
= √(7502+3002)=807.8 kN 150 kN

─10 kNm ─250 kNm ─250 kNm

Stiffening girder Bending moments

1312.5 kNm
2000 kNm
A rigid horizontal bar AB of length L and total weight W is suspended (with
closely spaced vertical suspenders) from a cable of horizontal span 2L, hung
between two hinged supports, C & D at the same level. Support C is vertically
above A. Given that the sag in the cable at a location E vertically above B is L/3,
find:
a) Horizontal tension
b) Maximum sag
c) Maximum cable tension
L
2L
C D
L/3
E

A B

W
EXAMPLE 7.9

For the cable suspended pedestrian bridge shown in the fig. below, with 9 suspenders,
determine the maximum cable tension, bending moments and shear forces in simply
supported stiffening girder A’C’B’(which has an internal hinge at mid point C’)

VA 4m x 8 = 32m VB TB
TA
A B H
H

8m
Q/2 Q/2
Q
Q Q Q
Q Q Q 2m
A’ B’
C’ D’
10 kN Unknown forces?
VA’ 8m VB’
TA VA VB TB

H H

8m
Q/2 Q Q/2
Q Q
Q  F  0  V  V  V  V  10 kN
y A A' B B'
Q
A’
Q Q
B’
2m
 M  0  (V  V )(32)  (10)(8)  0
B A A'

C’ D’
VA’ 10 kN VB’ VA  VA'  2.5 kN
16m 8m 8m VB  VB'  7.5 kN
(a)
VA VB
A M c  0  VA  VB B H VA VA'  2.5  5.0  2.5 kN
H VB'  7.5  5.0  2.5 kN
VA Q/2 F y
 0  VA  VB  8Q Q/2 A
Q VA  VB  4Q
H
A Q Q/2
H Q
C Q Q
Q
Q Q Q C H
Q/2 Q
Q (b) (d) Q/2
Q
H Mc  0 MC = 0
Q
Q/2
A’ MC’ = 0  (VA  4Q)(16)  (Q / 2)(16)  Q(12  8  4)  (H  5.0)(8)  0
C’
VA’ (c)  32Q  40  Q  1.25 kN
VC’
MC '  0
 (VA  VA' )(16)  (H )(10  2)  0  H  5.0 kN
 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25
0.625 kN 0.625 kN
A’ B’
C’
Maximum cable Tension: 2.5 kN 10 kN 2.5 kN

4.375 kN
Nmax  VA2  H 2 3.125 kN
 (5.0)2  (5.0)2  7.017 kN 1.875 kN
0.625 kN
A’ B’
─0.625 kN C’
─1.875 kN
─3.125 kN
─4.375 kN
(a) Shear Force Diagram
─10 kNm
─7.5 kNm ─7.5 kNm

A’ B’
C’
Stiffening Girder 12.5 kNm 12.5 kNm

30 kNm
(b) Bending Moment Diagram
 Cable subject to distributed loads on curved span: q(s) = qo

B qods  q(x)dx
ds A
y  q(x)  qo ds  qo 1  y '2
dx
qo h
x d2y
dx O H 2  q ( x)
L/2 L/2 dx
qods =q(x)dx
y ''  qo 1  y '2
(a) Cable Element (b) Symmetric Cable H
Let z(x)  y '(x)
dz q
  o 1  z2
dx H
dy
At x  0, z   0  C1  0
dx dz  qo dx
 1  z2  H
 z  dy  sinh qo x x  0  y  0  C2   H
dx H qo  sinh1 z  qo x  C1
  H
 y    sinh qo x  dx  
 H  y(x)  H cosh qo x  1
qo  H 
 H cosh qo x  C2
qo H
‘Catenary’
Symmetric cable subject to distributed loads on curved span: q(s) = qo

A B  
y y(x)  H cosh qo x  1
qo  H 
h
x x  L  y (x )  h
O 2
 
L/2 L/2  h  H cosh qoL  1
qo  2H 


H  hqo
 q L 
cosh o  1


2H 

Cable length:
L/2
S  2  1   y'(x)  dx
2

 
 S  2qH sinh q2oHL 
o  
 Cable subject to distributed loads on curved span
(e.g.:self-weight): q(s) = qo

A B
ds 1  y' 2
y dy
y' 
h θ(x) dx
qo x
O
dx 1
L/2 L/2
qods = q(x)dx
ds
(a) Cable Element (b) Symmetric Cable q( x )  qo  qo 1  y 2
dx

d 2 y q( x ) H  qo x 
 y( x)   cosh  1 ‘Catenary’ Profile
dx 2 H qo H 

hqo
H N ( x)  H 1  y 2
 qo L 
 cosh  1
2H 

2H q L
S sinh o
qo 2H
EXAMPLE 7.5

A cable is suspended between two level supports across a horizontal span of 75 m. If the
cable carries a dead load of 5 kN/m along the length of the cable, and if the central sag is
limited to one-tenth of the span, determine (i) the horizontal tension; (ii) the maximum
cable tension; and (iii) the total length of the cable.

APPROXIMATE SOLUTION:

Assuming a parabolic profile, y(x)   4Lh  x

2
2

qo L2 (5)(75)2
(i ) H    468.75 kN
8h (8)(7.5)
(ii ) Nmax  (qoL / 2)2  H 2  (5 x75 / 2)2  468.752  504.9kN
  2
8h2  8  1 
(iii ) S  L 1  2   75 1      77.0 m
 3L   3  10  
 

EXACT SOLUTION ?
  
EXACT SOLUTION Assuming catenary profile, y(x)  qH cosh qHo  x  1
o 
   

  
x  L  37.5 m  y  h  7.5m   qH  cosh H37.5  1
2  o   / qo 

H  37.5 
   cosh  1  7.5  0
q
 o   H / qo 

This is in the form of f(H/qo) = 0 and may be solved iteratively by trail-and-error.

Starting with the approximate value of H/qo =L2/ (8h) = 752/(8 x 7.5) = 93.75 m

Trial H/qo(m)  37.5  f(H/qo)

a  cosh  
 H / qo 
1 93.75 1.08107 +6.60
2 94.0 1.08063 +0.08
3 94.2 1.08029 +0.06
4 94.5 1.07977 +0.04
5 95.0 1.07893 ─0.002 ≈0
 (i) H  (95.0)(5)  475.0 kN
(ii ) Nmax  (5 x7.5 / 2)2  4752  510.7 kN
S  2 sinh o .  2(95)sinh 
H q L 37.5 
(iii )   76.963 m
qo H 2  95.0 

We notice that the approximate solution is fairly accurate

(error less than 1.5 percent).
Hence, for all practical purposes, it is sufficient to assume a
parabolic profile, when the sag is limited (~ span 1/10).

EXAMPLE

Determine the maximum possible span for a cable supported at its two ends(on level
supports), if the central sag is limited to 10 percent of the span, and if the permissible
tensile stress is 150 MPa. Assume the unit weight of the steel as 78.5 kN/m3
Reading assignment L = 1382 m
INFLUENCE OF ELASTIC STRETCH elastic stretch, e  SE

A B de N ( x )
axial strain:   
y ds EA
h
x SE    ds  
N
ds
qo O EA

N( x)  H 1  (y ')2
L
Symmetric parabolic cable
(H 1  y '2 (dx 1  y '2 )
L /2

 SE  2 
0
EA
The increase in the length δSE of the cable due 2H   8 h 2 2 
L /2

to elastic stretch, with the horizontal span L 

EA 0 1   L2  x  dx
remaining unchanged, will result in marginal  
HL  16  h  
2
increase in the sag δh.   SE  1    
EA  3  L  

 8 h2 
Original cable length, S  L 1  2 
 3L 
 8 2h.h 
SE  L 
 3 L 
Assuming L to remain constant, 2

3 L
 h  (SE )
16 h
Effect of Change in Sag on Cable Tension

This increase in sag δh will in turn lead to a marginal decrease in the

horizontal tension δH and also in the maximum cable tension δN.
2
q L
H
qoL2 N 2max  H 2   o 
8h  2 
qoL2  2Nmax .Nmax  2H.H
 H   2 .h H
8h  Nmax  .H
Nmax

The percentage change δN in maximum cable tension is given by

Nmax H.H
N  x100  2 x100
Nmax N max

EXAMPLE
Consider the cable in Example 7.5. Find the percentage reduction in the maximum cable
tension on account of (i) elastic stretch (ii) temperature change of 30◦C and (iii) support
slip of 50mm. Assume the cable material to have an elastic modulus E = 2x105 MPa,
Coefficient of thermal expansion = 1x10-5 per ◦C and cross-sectional area of 500mm2.
Reading assignment
INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE CHANGE
If there is an increase in temperature, there
B will be corresponding increase in cable length,
A and thereby an increase in the sag, and a
y
h consequent marginal reduction in the cable
x tension. These effects will get reversed (i.e.,
qo O cable tension will increase marginally) when
there is a fall in temperature.
L ST  ST
Symmetric parabolic cable  8h 2 
ST  L 1  2  (T )
 3L 
 8h 2 
S  L 1  2 
 3L 
 8 2h.h  3 L
Assuming L to remain constant, ST  L     (ST )
 3 L 
2 h
16 h
INFLUENCE OF SUPPORT SLIP (−δL)
Assuming S to remain constant and differentiating on both sides,
3 3 3 L  8 h2 
h2  L(S  L) 2h(h)   S.L  2L.L   h  1    L 
8 8 16 h  3 L2 

The decrease in the span of the cable, on account of support slip, will cause a marginal
increase in the sag, resulting in a corresponding decrease in the cable tension.