36-36. Sag and Tension with Supports at Equal Levels Fig. 36-53 shows a span of a wire with the two supports at the same elevation and separa- ted by a horizdntal distance 2/. It can be proved that the conductor 4B forms a catenary with A Y B the lowest point © forming the mid-point (where the curve is straight). Let Wbe the weight of the wire per unit Jength’ and let point O be chosen as the reference point for measuring the co-ordinates of different points on the wire. Consider a point P having co-ordinates of x and y. The tension T at point P can be resolved into two rectangular components 7, and T, so that T= ¥T,*+T,}. If Sis the length of the arc OP, then its Weight is’ WS which acts vertically d award through the centre of gravity of OP. There are four forces acting on OP—two vertical vand two horizontal. Since OP is in equilibrium, the net force is zero. Equating the horizontal and vertical components, we have, Ty=T, and T, =WS It may be noted that the horizontal component of tension is constant throughout the length of the wire, Since line PT is tangential to the curve OB at point P, tan ¢=T,/T, It is also seen from the elementary piece PP’ of the line that tan 6=dy/dx a dyjdx=tan 6=T,/T, or dyjdx=WS/T, i) If PP'=dS, then dS= V(x + (Hye v T+ ayant or ny ( Integrating both sides, we have x=( where C is the constant of integration. Now, when ), S=0, Putting these values above, we find that C=0 To) cana (WS T, We . x-(F) sinh: () or Sai sion (2 ) fit) Subst ing this value of S in Eq. ti), we get, & sin (@ ) on dy=sinh ( we as T, F = [sion (WH T, Wx 7s foe (3B) te =[ fp) 08 ME )x 0 where D is also the constant of integration. At the origin point 0, x=O and y=O. Hence, the above equation becomes Tq, Ww o=(F) cosh 0+ D -(%)+2 . D Substituting this value of D in the above equation, we get (Boe (EE Bl ()-1]This is the equation of the curve known as catenary. Hence, when a wire is hung bet- ween two supports, it forms a catenary. (@) The tension at point P (x, ») is given by TA4 T= T8+ WAT ITS sinh Ws/T,) from Bq. (ii) =T [resin *)j-t cosne( 7" a): THT cosh ( 7*) way (6) Tension at points A and B where 4 is given by T=T, cosh (WI/Ts) eof) * "© The maximum sag is represented by the value of y at cither of the two points A and Bfor which x=-+Iand x=~T respectively. Writing y—dnee and putting x= in Eq, (il) we get, daa Fp [ooth (71 ] si) seo (7, (@) The length of the wite or conductor ina half span is as seen from Eq, (above, T, Wl a Soap sian (7 ) (oll) Approximate Formulae ‘The hyperbolic sine and cosine functions can be expanded into the following’ series Bos Ff # 2 sin 2024 54 3 45 poner and cosh s+ Fb ge bap ot Using the above, the approximate values of Td and Sat points A and B may be found as follows @ T=T, cosh (a)-% ( ete ) —neglecting higher powers = ed eT, “=T,—te. tension at the supports is very approximately equal tothe Horizontal tension acting at any y point on the wire, \ a 2 we \ Ww @. [oon (7 my) 1)-#L( tate )H} JAF copcox) dale © 2F It should be noted that W and T'should be in the same units Le. kg wt or newton, T, a = pea 14 re — neglecting higher terms, sinh (z )-2( ; ; we ‘The total length of the wire along the curve is L=2S= 2 sae This length consists of the unstretched length Ly and the stretch or extension J+ Unstretched length L,=L~extension AL T/A 27 Now, E=: I: ow, dim ot Substituting the value of T from the relation d= WP'/2T, we have Ie 21 WE WR 2 Lek we Ai WEA ~ Ena qT, 7 Wes jy. bl ( TE) R(t +~) 1] or + y= ZE _ the equation of a parabola OT It shows that the catenary curve formed by the sagging is very approximately like a parabola in shape. ‘The above formulae are sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes provided sag is less than 10% of the spar36-37. Sag and Tension with Supports at Unequal Levels Fig, 36-54 shows a span between two supports A and B whose elevations differ by h, their horizontal spacing being 2/ as before. Such spans are generally met with in a hill . Let O be the lowest point of the catenary AOB, ss SOME Obviously, OA is a catenary of halts rand OB of half-span 2. = The equations derived in Art. 36-36 also apply to this case, gear (A888 fom’ Ea, (of Art r wx, d= Fp cosh (= 1] —putting Fx, a ~putting tmx, ti Tet cost) and Tye Tscosh ( It is obvious that maximum tension occurs at the higher support B. <1. tax, permissible tension= 7, cosh (B) T, Approximate Formulae It is obvious that ~ T| Wr, Wry) < dad= [cost (® )-oosh ( e y] = hand x4%,=21 Using approximations similar to those used in Art. 36-36 we get Wx? Wx? Wx Wr? a nd a 5 (it has been assumed, as before, that 7=7.) OT Ww Ww wi fh dah= Fat x= Fp Oatmleaay =F) AT|WE and xybx=21 AT AT* spr ml Fp Having found x, and xq, values of d, and d, can be easily calculated. It is worth noting that in some cases, x, may be negative which mean that there may be no horizontal point (like point Q) in the span, Such a thing is very likely toshappen when the line runs up a steep moun- tain side.