Cables and Arches

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Cable Subjected to Concentrated Loads

Cable Subjected to Uniform Distributed
Loads
Arches
Three-Hinged Arch

Cable Subjected to Concentrated Loads

A

Ay
Ax

yC

yD

L2

P1

P2

L1

yD

P1

yC

L3

P2

L1

TCD

L2

L3

+ MA = 0:
Obtain TCD

y
TBA

TCD
TCB

B
x

P2

+ F = 0:
x
+ Fy = 0:

x
TBC

P1
2

Example 5-1
Determine the tension in each segment of the cable shown in the figure below.
Also, what is the dimension h ?

A
h

D
B

2m

C
3 kN
2m

2m

8 kN
2m

1.5 m

Ay

SOLUTION
Ax

A
TCD

D5 4
3

h
B

2m

C
3 kN
2m

8 kN
2m

1.5 m

+ MA = 0:
TCD(3/5)(2 m) + TCD(4/5)(5.5 m) - 3kN(2 m) - 8 kN(4 m) = 0
TCD = 6.79 kN

Joint C
TCD = 6.79 kN

C 5 4
BC 3
8 kN

TCB

+ F = 0: 6.79(3/5) - T cos
x
CB
BC
+

TCB = 4.82 kN

Joint B

TBA

+ F = 0: - T cos + 4.82 cos 32.3o = 0

BA
BA
x

B 32.3o

BA

Fy = 0: 6.79(4/5) - 8 + TCB sin CB = 0

BC = 32.3o

=0

x
TBC = 4.82 kN

Fy = 0: TBA sin BA - 4.82 sin 32.3o - 3 = 0

3 kN

BA = 53.8o

A
h

TBA = 6.90 kN

D
B
3 kN

C
8 kN

h = 2 tanBA = 2 tan53.8o = 2.74 m

5

Cable Subjected to Distributed Load

Concepts & Conclusion:
T

To

x
W
x=L

To
T cos = To = FH = Constant
T sin = W
dy
W
= tan =
dx
To

Parabolic Cable: Subjected to Linear Uniform distributed Load

T

wo = force / horizontal distance

To
B

A
x
L
x
y

wox

wo x

x
2

wo x
dx
To
2

wo x
+ C1
2To

wo x 2
To =
2y

T
x

y=

y=

x
To

dy
wx
= tan = o
dx
To

at x = L , T = TB = Tmax
2

Tmax = To + ( wo L)

Tmax

woL

To

Derivation:

wo(x)

x
2

T + T
wo

O
h
x

s
x

+
y

x
L
+ F = 0:
x

-T cos + (T + T) cos ( + ) = 0

Fy = 0:

-Tsin + wo(x) + (T + T) sin( + ) = 0

+ MO = 0:

wo(x)(x/2) - T cos (y) - T sin(x) = 0

Dividing each of these equations by x and taking the limit as x

y 0, 0, and T 0, we obtain

To

wox

d (T cos )
=0
dx

----------(5-1)

d (T sin )
= wo
dx

----------(5-2)

dy
= tan
dx

----------(5-3)

0, and hence

Integrating Eq. 5-1, where T = FH at x = 0, we have:

T cos = FH

----------(5-4)

Integrating Eq. 5-2, where T sin = 0 at x = 0, gives

T sin = wo x

----------(5-5)

Dividing Eq. 5-5 by Eq. 5-4 eliminates T. Then using Eq. 5-3, we can obtain the slope
at any point,
tan =

dy wo x
=
dx FH

----------(5-6)

Performing a second integration with y = 0 at x = 0 yields

y=

wo 2
x
2 FH

----------(5-7)

This is the equation of a parabola. The constant FH

may be obtained by using the boundary condition y =
h at x = L. Thus,
wo L2
FH =
----------(5-8)
2h

h 2
x
L2

h
x
L

Finally, substituting into Eq. 5-7 yeilds

y=

wo

----------(5-9)

From Eq. 5-4, the maximum tension in the cable occurs when is maximum; i.e., at
x = L. Hence, from Eqs. 5-4 and 5-5,
Tmax = FH 2 + ( wo L) 2

----------(5-10)

Tmax

woL

To

10

Example 5-2
The cable shown supports a girder which weighs 12kN/m. Determine the tension
in the cable at points A, B, and C.
30 m
A
C

12 m
B

6m

11

SOLUTION
TA

30 m
A

TC
C

12 m

6m

30 - L
x2

x
wo = 12 kN/m
L
x1

12

TC

C
To

6m

x
wo = 12 kN/m
12 L
L

12 x1
dy1
= tan =
dx1
To
y1 =

12 x1
dx1
To

0
12 x
y1 =
+ C1
2To
2
1

12 L'2
6=
2To

x1

To = L'2

Tx1

----------(1)

12x1

To

13

TA
A

12 x2
dy2
= tan =
dx2
To

12 m
B

To
wo = 12 kN/m

12 (30 - L)
30 - L
x2

0
12 x2
12 x22
y2 =
dx2 =
+ C2
To
2To
12 x2
y2=
2To

12(30 L' ) 2
12 =
2To
(30 L' ) 2
1=
2To

----------(2)

Tx2

12 x2

To

14

To = L'2

----------(1)

(30 L' ) 2
1=
2To

From (1) and (2),

----------(2)

L = 12.43 m, To = 154.5 kN
TB = To = 154.5 kN

TC

12 L

TA

12 (30 - L )

To

To

TC = To + (12 L' ) 2

= (154.50) 2 + (12 12.43) 2

= 214.8 kN

TA = To + [12(30 L' )]2

= (154.50) 2 + [12(30 12.43)]2

= 261.4 kN

15

Example 5-3
The suspension bridge in the figure below is constructed using the two stiffening
trusses that are pin connected at their ends C and supported by a pin at A and a
rocker at B. Determine the maximum tension in the cable IH. The cable has a
parabolic shape and the bridge is subjected to the single load of 50 kN.
I

H
8m
D

A
Pin

E
B

4 @ 3 m = 12 m

6m
rocker

50 kN

4 @ 3 m = 12 m
16

SOLUTION
Hy

Iy
To
8m

H
I

8m
D

F
Ay

To

6m
Ax

To

12 m

To
6m

Cx

Cy

+ MA = 0:

Cx

C
Cy

50 kN
3m

B
By

9m

+ MB = 0:
12C y + 50(9) 8To = 0

12C y + 8To = 0
To = 1.5C y

----------(1)

From (1) and (2),

Cy = 18.75 kN,

To = 1.5C y +56.25

To = 28.125 kN

----------(2)

17

From (1) and (2),

TI

Cy = 18.75 kN,

8m

To = 28.12 kN
Tx

wox
To = 28.12 kN
x

wo
wox
12 m

28.12 kN

dy
wx
= tan = o
dx
28.12
y=

x
y=

wo x
dx
28.12
2

wo x
+ C1
28.12

wo (12) 2
8=
2(28.12)

wo = 3.125 kN/m
18

TH

TI

8m

8m

To = 28.12 kN

To = 28.12 kN

12wo = 37.5 kN

12wo = 37.5 kN

12 m

37.5 kN

12 m

TI

TI = (37.5) 2 + ( 28.12) 2

= 46.88 kN

28.12 kN
Tmax = TI = TH = 46.88 kN
Tmin= To = 28.12 kN

19

0
Ax

T = wo 3 = 3.125 3

= 9.375 kN

E
G

Ay
4 @ 3 m = 12 m

+ MA = 0:

50 kN

B
By

4 @ 3 m = 12 m

9.375(3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 + 18 + 21) 50(15) + B y ( 24) = 0

By = -1.56 kN,

Fy = 0:

A y +7(9.375) 50 1.56 = 0

Ay = -14.07 kN,

20

Example 5-4
For the structure shown:
(a) Determine the maximum tension of the cable
(b) Draw quantitative shear & bending-moment diagrams of the beam.
E

0.5 m
D

8m
1 kN/m

8m
A
B
5m

Hinge
20 m

21

Ey

SOLUTION
0.5 m
To
8m

20 kN

Dy
5 kN
D

To

Ax
A

Ay

1 kN/m
Bx

By

5m

To

8m

To
1 kN/m
Bx

By

Cy
20 m

+ MA = 0:

+ MC = 0:

B y (5) 5( 2.5) + To (0.5) = 0

B y (20) + 20(10) To (8) = 0

From (1) and (2),

By = 0, To = 25 kN

22

Tx

wox

To= 25 kN

TE = Tmax
E

8m
x

To= 25 kN
20wo
20 m

TE = Tmax

To= 25 kN

dy
wx
= tan = o
dx
25
wx
y = o dx
25
0
wo x 2
=
+ C1
2(25)

wo (20) 2
8=
2(25)

wo = 1 kN/m

20wo = 20 kN

Tmax = TE = ( 25) 2 + ( 20) 2

Tmax = 32.02 kN

23

T = wo(2.5 m) = (1kN/m)(2.5 m) = 2.5 kN

2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5
1 kN/m
Ax

Cy = 1.25 kN

Ay =1.25 kN
5m

20 m
10 @ 2.5 m = 25 m

V (kN)

1.25

1.25

1.25

1.25

1.25
x (m)

-1.25

-1.25

-1.25

-1.25

-1.25

M (kNm) 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78 0.78
x (m)

24

Example 5-5
The cable AB is subjected to a uniform loading of 200 N/m. If the weight of the
cable is neglected and the slope angles at points A and B are 30o and 60o,
respectively, determine the curve that defines the cable shape and the maximum
tension developed in the cable.

B
60o

30o
x
200 N/m
15 m
25

SOLUTION

TB
B

60o

60o

A
TA

30o
(0.2 kN)(15 m) = 3 kN
15 m

60o
30o

3 kN

TB

TB = 5.20 kN

120o
30o
30o

TA

TB
3
TA
=
=
sin 120 o sin 30 o sin 30 o

30o

TA = 3 kN

26

y
0.2x

TA = 3 kN

30o

3 kN
30o

3 sin 30o = 1.5

3 cos 30o = 2.6

0.2x
x

0.2 x + 1.5
dy
= tan =
2.6
dx
dy
= 0.0769 x + 0.577
dx

y = 0.0769 x + 0.577

y=

0.0769 x
+ 0.577 x + C1
2

y = 0.0385x2 + 0.577x

27

Example 5-6
The three-hinged open-spandrel arch bridge shown in the figure below has a
parabolic shape and supports the uniform load . Show that the parabolic arch is
subjected only to axial compression at an intermediate point D along its axis.
Assume the load is uniformly transmitted to the arch ribs.

y
7 kN/m
x
B

7.5 2
y=
x
(15) 2

A
15 m

7.5 m

7.5 m
C

7.5 m

28

SOLUTION

210 kN

B
y=

Ax
Ay

15 m

7.5 2
x
(15) 2

15 m

Cx
Cy

Entire arch :
+ MA = 0:

C y (30) 210(15) = 0

Cy = 105 kN
+ Fy = 0:

Ay 210 + 105 = 0
Ay = 105 kN
29

105 kN
B

Bx

By
Cx

B
7.5 m

7.5 m

105 kN

Arch segment BC :
+ MB = 0:

105(7.5) + 105(15) C x (7.5) = 0

Cx = 105 kN
+ F = 0:
x
+ Fy = 0:

Bx = 105 kN

B y 105 + 105 = 0
By = 0
30

52.5 kN
B

105 kN

MD
D

26.6o
ND

VD 26.6o
3.75 m
Arch segment BD :

A section of the arch taken through point D, x = 7.5 m, y = -7.5(7.52)/(15)2 = -1.875 m,

is shown in the figure. The slope of the segment at D is
tan =

dy 15
=
x
= 0.5 ,
2
dx (15) x =7.5

= 26.6o

+ F = 0:
x

105 - ND cos 26.6o - VD sin 26.6o = 0

+ Fy = 0:

-52.5 + ND sin 26.6o - VD cos 26.6o = 0

+ MD = 0:

MD + 52.5(3.75) - 105(1.875) = 0
ND = 117.40 kN,

VD = 0,

MD = 0 kN

31

52.5 kN

Alternate Method
105 kN

B
0

MD
D

26.6o
ND

VD 26.6o
3.75 m
Arch segment BD :

A section of the arch taken through point D, x = 7.5 m, y = -7.5(7.52)/(15)2 = -1.875 m,

is shown in the figure. The slope of the segment at D is
tan =

dy 15
=
x
2
dx (15)

7.5 wo = (7.5)(7)= 52.5 kN

Tmax = TE = (105) 2 + (52.5) 2

Tmax = 117.4 kN

x = 7.5

= 0.5 ,

= 26.6o

ND

No= 25 kN
Notes : Since the arch is a parabola, there are no
shear and bending moment, only ND is present

32

Example 5-7
The three-hinged tied arch is subjected to the loading shown in the figure below.
Determine the force in members CH and CB. The dashed member GF of the truss
is intended to carry no force.

20 kN
15 kN

15 kN
G

1m

4m

F
D
E

A
3m

3m

3m

3m

33

20 kN

SOLUTION

15 kN

15 kN
G

1m

4m
Ax

F
D
E

A
Ay

Ey

3m

+ MA = 0:

3m

3m

3m

E y (12) 15(3) 20(6) 15(9) = 0

Ey = 25 kN
+ F = 0:
x

Ax = 0

+ Fy = 0:

Ay 15 20 15 + 25 = 0
Ay = 25 kN
34

20 kN
15 kN
G

H
B

5m
0

0
Cx

Cy

FAE
25 kN
3m

+ MC = 0:

3m

FAE (5) 25(6) + 15(3) = 0

FAE = 21.0 kN
+ F = 0:
x

-Cx + 21= 0
Cx = 21.0 kN

+ Fy = 0:

25 15 20 + C y = 0
Cy = 10 kN
35

20 kN
FHG

20 kN
FCH
18.43o
18.43o
FCB

FGC

Joint G :

21 kN

10 kN

Joint C :

+ F = 0:
x

FHG = 0

+ Fy = 0:

FGC 20 = 0
FGC = 20 kN (C)

+ F = 0:
x
-FCH cos18.43 - FCB cos18.43 - 21= 0
+ Fy = 0:
FCH sin18.43 - FCB cos18.43 - 20 + 10 = 0
Thus,
FCH = 4.75 kN (T),
FCB = -26.88 kN (C)
36

Arches

extrados
(or back)

crown
Intrados
(or soffit)
huanch

springline

centerline rise

abutment

fixed arch

two-hinged arch

three-hinged arch
tied arch
37

Three-Hinged Arch

P1
C
P2
D

A
P1
C

Ax

A
Ay

Cy

Cx
Cx

Cy

VD

Ax

P2
Bx

MD N
D

Ay

By
38

Example 5-8
The tied three-hinged arch is subjected to the loading shown. Determine the
components of reaction at A and C and the tension in the cable.

15 kN

B
10 kN

2m
A

D
C
2m

0.5 m

2m
1m

39

SOLUTION
15 kN

B
10 kN

2m
A

Ax
0

D
C

Ay
2m
0.5 m

2m

Cy
1m

Entire arch :
+ MA = 0:

C y (5.5) 10( 4.5) 15(0.5) = 0

Cy = 9.545 kN
+ Fy = 0:

Ay 15 10 + 9.545 = 0
Ay = 15.46 kN

40

15 kN

Bx
By

2m
A

Bx

B
10 kN
By

TA

TD

Ay = 15.46 kN

C
2m

Cy = 9.545 kN

2m

0.5 m

1m

Member AB :
+ MB = 0:

15( 2) 15.455(2.5) + TA (2) = 0

TA = 4.319 kN

+ Fy = 0:

15.455 15 B y = 0

By = 0.455 kN

+ F = 0:
x

4.319 Bx = 0

Bx = 4.319 kN

4.319 TD = 0

TD = 4.319 kN

Member AB :
+ F = 0:
x

41