The Hanging Chain

Kirk Gordon, Torey Seward

6th of May, 2011

Contents
1 Introduction

2 Deriving the Catenary Curve from

Density
2.1 Setting up the Equation . . . . . .
2.2 Solving the Differential Equation of
2.3 Graphing the Equation . . . . . . .

a Chain of Uniform Mass

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Constant Density . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 Deriving and Solving an Equation for a Chain of Varying Mass

Density
3.1 Constants and Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2 Deriving an Equation for Varying Mass Density . . . . . . . . . .
3.3 Solving the Differential Equation for a Chain of Varying Mass
Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.4 Graphing the Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4
4
7
8

9
9
10
11
11

4 Applications Beyond Math

12
4.1 Marine Anchoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.2 Inverted Catenary Arch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.3 Suspension Bridges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5 Conclusion

15

6 Appendix

16

Abstract
A differential equation modeling a hanging chain of either uniform
or variable density will procure the catenary curve. This paper will first
analyze a hanging chain in order to find a differential equation modeling its
shape, then the equation will be solved. Furthermore, a chain of varying
mass density will also be explored. It will be found that the shape of
a chain of uniform mass will be a hyperbolic cosine function, which is a
catenary curve. However, the solution for a chain of varying mass density
will not be a catenary curve. The approach to solving the problem of
a chain of varying mass density could be used to minimize the material
used in cable production for power-lines and similar, non-load-bearing,
hanging structures. Both solutions are important in their applications to
architecture, marine anchoring and other problems.

Introduction

If a chain, rope, or other string-like object of uniform density is hung between

two parallel points and allowed to reach static equilibrium it takes on a unique
shape. This shape is called the catenary curve, and deriving the catenary is a
popular problem in the fields of physics, math, and engineering. The curve is a
solution to a second order differential equation that models the change in incline
of the hanging chain with respect to its change in height. The shape is seen in
a variety of applications like architecture and marine anchoring. One variance
on the classic problem that is explored in this paper involves a chain of nonuniform mass density. The solutions of both the classic catenary problem and
varying mass density problem will be found using the technique of separation
of variables and then integration. Matlab will be used to create plots of both
solutions for comparison.

Deriving the Catenary Curve from a Chain of

Uniform Mass Density

In the case of uniform mass density, the rope will be symmetric about its lowest
point. The origin for all equations in the case of the chain of uniform mass is
at the lowest point on the chain. The only external forces acting on the chain
are gravity; in other words the chain carries no load besides its own weight.

2.1

Setting up the Equation

w = Weight per unit length

T1 = The horizontal component of Tension
s = Length of chain

Figure 1: The tangential, vertical, and horizontal components of forces acting

on the chain at any given point
A few assumptions will be necessary in order to derive an equation. First,
since there is no load on the chain and only the force of gravity acting on its
mass, the horizontal tension will be the same at all points . The value of ws
is equal to the weight of any section s. This analysis using Newtonian physics
gives equation (2.1). This derivation is similar to that of [1].
tan =

ws
T1

(2.1)

If the shape of the hanging chain is treated as a function y(x) where y is

the vertical distance of the chain from its lowest point and x is the horizontal
distance from the middle of the chain (also the lowest point), then by similar
triangles tan becomes y0 where y0 = dy/dx.

Figure 2: Similar triangles show the relation between y0 and tan

y0 =
y0(x) =

ws
T1

w
s(x)
T1

Then s and y are divided into many tiny increments called d(y0) and ds.
d(y0) =

w
ds
T1

Using Pythagoreans Theorem,

p
ds = (dx)2 + (y0 dx)2
where
dy = (.y0)dx

(2.2)

(2.3)

Figure 3: The relation between ds and y0

Substituting (2.3) for ds in equation (2.2) gives,
wp
d(y0) =
1 + (y0)2 dx
T1

(2.4)

Using separation of variables, dx is divided from both sides of the equation.

d(y0)
wp
1 + (y0)2
=
dx
T1
wp
y00 =
1 + (y0)2
T1

(2.5)

Equation (2.5) is the second order ordinary differential equation modeling a

hanging chain of uniform density. It can now be solved to find an equation
which when plotted will directly model the shape of the hanging chain.

2.2

Solving the Differential Equation of Constant Density

Here, equation (2.5) is solved using separation of variables, where the equation is
rearranged so that the y0 variable is on the same side as d(y0) and the remaining
constants are on the same side as dx. The equation is then integrated.
d(y0)
p

1+

(y0)2

1+

w
dx
T1

dy0
p

(y0)2

w
dx
T1

(2.6)

The integration of the left-hand side of equation (2.6) is rather complex to

do by hand, but an integration table can be used to easily find the solution.

The solution is an inverse hyperbolic sine function [3]. The C on the right hand
side represents an unknown constant of integration.
sinh1 (y0) =

w
x+C
T1

(2.7)

Here, x = 0 is the point at the bottom of the curve of the chain and since
there is only a horizontal tension at this point, y0(0) = 0 (The chain is flat at
the very bottom of its curve, therefore having no slope). Thus, the constant of
integration, C, is equal to zero. Furthermore, y prime can be isolated, giving
the following equation which can be integrated again by separation of variables.
w
x)
T1
dy
w
= sinh ( x)
dx
T1
Z
Z
w
dy = sinh ( x)
T1
y0 = sinh (

This integration gives the equation for the shape of the hanging chain, again
a table of integrals was used and D is another constant of integration.
y(x) =

w
T1
cosh x + D
w
T1

As a reminder, the origin was at the center and lowest point of the chain. From
this, a boundary condition can be set so that D is solved.
y(0) = 0
D=
y(x) =

T1
w

w
T1
T1
cosh ( x)
w
T1
w

(2.8)

When plotted, equation (2.8) directly models the shape of a hanging chain
of uniform mass density.

2.3

Graphing the Equation

Despite outward appearances, the shape of the chain is not parabolic. The figure
below is a plot of the solution for a chain of uniform mass density. In the plot,
T1 /w = 0.9.

Figure 4: A plot of Equation (2.8): Shape of a Hanging Chain with Uniform

Mass Density

Deriving and Solving an Equation for a Chain

of Varying Mass Density

In the case of variable mass density, the initial analysis is similar, but the weight
of the chain varies with the mass per unit length. The mass density of the chain
increases proportionally with the tangential
p tension of the chain. The equation
used here for the mass density is = c W (x)2 + T 2 , where is the mass
density, c is a constant, W (x) is the one half the total weight of the chain below
that point, and T is the tangential tension of the chain at that point x [2].
The equation for mass density could be almost anything, but for the sake of
simplicity this is the equation used.

3.1

Constants and Symbols

W (x) = Weight of half the Chain Below Point x

= Mass density
T (x) = Tension Tangential to the Chain at Point x
c = Constant
g = Gravitational Constant

3.2

Deriving an Equation for Varying Mass Density

Weight equals mass times the gravitational constant g. The mass density equation is multiplied by g to find the weight W equation.
p
W 0 = g = g x 1 + (y0)2
From Figure 5, W (x) = T y0.

Figure 5: The internal forces on either side of section AB

T y00 = g x

p
1 + (y0)2

p
And since = c W (x)2 + T 2 ,
T y00 = g x c

W (x)2 + T 2

p
1 + (y0)2

Substituting W (x) = T y0,

p
p
T y00 = g x c (T y0)2 + T 2 1 + (y0)2
p
p
T y00 = g x c T 2 (y0)2 + T 2 1 + (y0)2
p
p
T y00 = g x c T (y0)2 + 1 1 + (y0)2
T y00 = g x c T [(y0)2 + 1]
y00 = g x c [(y0)2 + 1]

(3.1)

Equation (3.1) is a differential equation which relates the change in slope of

the chain to its change in height. The solution to this equation gives the shape
of a chain of varying mass density.
10

3.3

Solving the Differential Equation for a Chain of Varying Mass Density

Equation (3.1) can be solved using the technique of separation of variables and
then integrating.
Z
Z
d(y0)
=
gc x dx
(y0)2 + 1
tan1 (y0) = gc x + C1
The origin is in the middle and lowest point of the chain, where it is flat and
the slope is zero. This means that at this point y0(0) = 0, thus C1 = 0.
y0 = tan(gc x)

(3.2)

Equation (3.2) is integrated again to solve for y.

Z
Z
dy = tan gc x
y(x) =

1
ln | sec(gc x)| + C2
gc

Again, because of location of origin y(0) = 0, therefore C2 is also equal to

zero.
y(x) =

1
ln (sec (gc x))
gc

(3.3)

Equation (3.3) is an equation modeling the shape of a chain of varying mass

density. Unlike the first solution, this is not a catenary curve.

3.4

Graphing the Solution

The result of this equation is shown here.

11

Figure 6: Solution for a Graph of Variable Mass Density, in this graph gc=19.6

Applications Beyond Math

Both solutions are applicable to real-world situations. The inverted catenary

curve serves as an arch in architecture and the curve appears in many everyday
situations. The parameters for varying mass density of the problem in section
three could be used in the production of cable for power lines to reduce the
amount of material used because it only requires as much material as needed to
hold up the section of cable below it.

4.1

Marine Anchoring

In this papers derivation of equation (2.5), Earths gravitational constant was

used for g, but it is not necessary to use this particular value. The solution
can therefore be applicable to any situation where there is a homogeneous fluid,
such as air or water. In the case of water, a drag constant can be substituted
for g. This is seen in marine anchoring [2].
The efficiency of an anchor increases if excess line has been let out because it

12

causes the anchor to drag along the bottom. The force of gravity on the rope
can be neglected because it is relatively smaller than the drag force, and the
attachment to the boat and anchor are similar to the two suspension points of
the hanging chain despite being misaligned. As a result, the excess line forms a
catenary curve.

Figure 7: Before excess line has been let out

Figure 8: Letting out excess line in anchoring creates an underwater catenary

curve

4.2

Inverted Catenary Arch

The result for the chain of varying mass density is very similar to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. The architect who designed the arch began with the
inspiration to invert a hanging chain that had uniform mass density, but he was
unsatisfied and wanted to alter it in some way. He achieved this by putting
smaller, lighter chain links in the center of the chain and therefore altering the
chains mass per unit length [4]. The equation for mass density of the chain
analyzed in this paper also had the smallest density at the center of the chain.

13

Figure 9: The Gateway Arch is similar to an inverted chain of variable mass

density

4.3

Suspension Bridges

A simple suspension bridge is in the shape of a catenary curve. This is because

there are no supports besides the two suspension points at either end. If there
is someone walking on the bridge, the bridge will still retain the shape of at
catenary curve as long as the weight of the the load is relatively smaller than
the weight per unit length of the bridge.

Figure 10: A Simple Suspension Bridge

14

Conclusion

The graphical results of both solutions are very similar, even though the solution
to the varying mass density problem is quite a bit different from the catenary
curve solution derived in section two. The main difference in equation (3.3) is
its more flattened appearance in comparison to equation (2.8) due to changing
vertical forces. A future project could be to solve for a chain of varying mass
density using the equation = m x + b where b and c are constants. It would
have to be done using a numerical method such as Matlabs ODE45 because of
its asymmetry.

15

Appendix

Plotting the Curve of a Chain of Uniform Mass Density

x=linspace(-2,2); a=0.9; y=a*cosh(1/a*x)-a; plot(x,y)
Plotting the Curve of a Chain of Variable Mass Density
a=19.6; x=linspace(-0.05,0.05); y=1/a*log(sec(a*x)); plot(x,y)

References
[1] Simmons, George, and Steven Krantz. Differential Equations. New York:
McGraw Hill, 2007.
[2] Susanka, Larry.The Shape of a Hanging Rope. Bellevue College, Nov. 2005.
Web. May 2011. http://scidiv.bellevuecollege.edu/ls/notes/Cat1.pdf
[3] OYoung,
Josh
J.K.
Integral
Table.
Josh
Jen
Ken
OYoung.
07
July
2010.
Web.
16
May
2011.
http://www.math.ucdavis.edu/ oyounggo/21B10/integral-table.pdf.
[4] Kaza,
Roger.
No.
2645:
Arch.
ton. Engines of Our Ingenuity, 2010.
http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi2645.htm.

16

University of HousWeb. 16 May 2011.