B

distribution of load is along the length [s],

so the resultant [W] will be ws
 h y

In contrast: the lowest point

of the cable is the origin in
parabolic analysis [y = h]
sag = h (not y)

the Origin (point O) is not a point on the ground.

 y

c
O x
 you should advance to the next slide ONLY
after you’ve listed these information
h
Catenary Cable Analysis
what’s usually needed is to find the
value of the catenary constant c; h=100
for the purpose of which, there are y
two available equations: c
y = 100 + c and y = c cosh(250/c) x=250
from which the value of c is
determined by trial and error
This is a case of 2 unknowns (y & c) with 2 equations ⸫ solvable

Solution is done by assuming values of c and then computing the values of

each of the corresponding ‘y’
changing the assumed c values until the values of both y’s become the same.
Catenary Cable Analysis
c y = 100 + c y = c cosh(250/c)
h=100
300 400 410.336 y
c
x=250

It is good for the initial assumed values of c to be have enough

separation between them so as to cause reversal of the
relationship between the two computed variables [in this case, ‘y’]
Catenary Cable Analysis
c y = 100 + c y = c cosh(250/c)
h=100
300 400 410.336 y
100 200 613.229 c
x=250

notice that: the discrepancy between the values of y becomes

greater… this means that the correct value of c is outside of these
two assumptions… the difference b/w the y’s is smaller in c = 300
(the 1st assumption) ⸫ the correct value of c is > 300 [not < 100]
Catenary Cable Analysis
c y = 100 + c y = c cosh(250/c)
h=100
300 400 410.336 y
350 450 443.147 c
x=250
…so, going for the values of c greater than 300:
in the 1st assumed value of c, y2 [410.336] > y1 [400];
in the 3rd assumed value of c, y2 [443.147] < y1 [450];
⸫ there is a reversal of the relationship b/w these 2 y’s which
means that the correct value of c is between 300 and 350
Catenary Cable Analysis
c y = 100 + c y = c cosh(250/c)
h=100
300 400 < 410.336 y
350 450 > 443.147 c
330 430 > 429.314
x=250

notice the
the next assumed value of c must be: ‘trending’ of the
differences
(a) between 330 and 350; or (b) between 330 and 300 ?
You should
you notadvance
should advancetotothe
thenext
nextslide
slideONLY
unless
youafter
haveyou’ve
made your
madechoice [a or b[a
your choice ?]or b ?]
Catenary Cable Analysis
c y = 100 + c y = c cosh(250/c)
h=100
300 400 < 410.336 y
350 450 > 443.147 c
330 430 > 429.314 x=250
328 428 > 427.977

…so, going for the values of c less than 330…

Catenary Cable Analysis
c y = 100 + c y = c cosh(250/c)
h=100
300 400 < 410.336 y
350 450 > 443.147 c
330 430 > 429.314 x=250
328 428 > 427.977
327.5 427.5 < 427.644
notice again the
‘trending’ of the
differences
…so, going for the values of c less than 330…
Catenary Cable Analysis
c y = 100 + c y = c cosh(250/c)
300 400 < 410.336 h=100
350 450 443.147
y
>
c
330 430 > 429.314 x=250
328 428 > 427.977
327.5 427.5 < 427.644
327.85 427.85 < 428.877
=
Catenary Cable Analysis
c y = 100 + c y = c cosh(250/c)
300 400 < 410.336 h=100
350 450 443.147
y
>
c
330 430 > 429.314 x=250
328 428 > 427.977
327.5 427.5 < 427.644
327.85 427.85 428.877 c can be taken as 327.931,
<
then by using it, other
327.931 427.931 = 427.931 parameters can then be solved
You should advance
you should not advance tonext
to the the next
slideslide
ONLY unless
afteryou havesolved
you’ve solvedthese
theseother
otherparameters
parameters
Catenary Cable Analysis

To = wc = 983.793 lb T
T = wy = 1283.793 lb h=100
from s2 = y2 - c2 To y
s = 274.929 ft c
x=250
⸫ Length = 549.859 ft