MODULE 5 When performing an equilibrium analysis for a problem of this type, the

forces in the cable can also be obtained by writing the equations of equilibrium for
CABLES AND ARCHES the entire cable or any portion thereof.
OBJECTIVE:

MODULE EXERCISES:
5.1. Determine the tension in each segment
of the cable shown. Also, what is
the dimension h?

5.1. CABLES SOLUTION:

Cables are often used in engineering structures for support and to transmit By inspection, there are four unknown
loads from one member to another. When used to support suspension roofs, bridges, external reactions (Ax, Ay, Dx and
and trolley wheels, cables from the main load-carrying element in the structure. In Dy) and three unknown cable
the force analysis of such systems, the weight of the cable itself may be neglected; tensions, one in each cable
however, when cables are used as guys for radio antennas, electrical transmission segment. These seven unknowns
lines, and derricks, the cable weight may become important and must be included along with the sag h can be determined from the eight available equilibrium
in the structural analysis. Two cases will be considered in the sections that follow: equations applied to points A through D.
a cable subjected to concentrated loads and a cable subjected to a distributed load.
∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0
When deriving the necessary relations between the force in the cable and 3 4
its slope, we will make the assumption that the cable is perfectly flexible and 𝑇𝐶𝐷 ( ) (2) + 𝑇𝐶𝐷 ( ) (5.5) − 3(2) −
5 5
inextensible. Due to its flexibility, the cable offers no resistance to shear or bending 8(4) = 0
and, therefore, the force acting in the cable is always tangent to the cable at points
along its length. Being inextensible, the cable has a constant length both before and 𝑻𝑪𝑫 = 𝟔. 𝟕𝟗 𝒌𝑵
after the load is applied. As a result, once the load is applied, the geometry of the Now we can analyze the equilibrium of points C
cable remains fixed, and the cable or a segment of it can be treated as a rigid body. and B in sequence.
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
5.2. CABLE SUBJECTED TO CONCENTRATED LOADS 3
6.79 (5) − 𝑇𝐵𝐶 cos 𝜃𝐵𝐶 = 0
When a cable of negligible weight supports several concentrated loads, the
cable takes the form of several straight-line segments, each of which is subjected to ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
a constant tensile force.
 4 𝑤𝑜 ∆𝑥, which acts at ∆𝑥/2 from point O. Applying the equations of equilibrium
6.79 (5) − 8 + 𝑇𝐵𝐶 sin 𝜃𝐵𝐶 = 0
yields
𝜽𝑩𝑪 = 𝟑𝟐. 𝟑° 𝑻𝑩𝑪 = 𝟒. 𝟖𝟐 𝒌𝑵
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0; −𝑇 cos 𝜃 + (𝑇 + ∆𝑇) cos(𝜃 + ∆𝜃) = 0
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0; −𝑇 sin 𝜃 − 𝑤𝑜 (∆𝑥) + (𝑇 + ∆𝑇) sin(𝜃 + ∆𝜃) = 0
−𝑇𝐵𝐴 cos 𝜃𝐵𝐴 + 4.82 cos 32.3° = 0 ∆𝑥
∑ 𝑀𝑜 = 0; 𝑤𝑂 (∆𝑥) ( ) − 𝑇 cos 𝜃 ∆𝑦 + 𝑇 sin 𝜃 ∆𝑥 = 0
2
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
Dividing each of these equations by ∆𝑥 and taking the limit as ∆𝑥 → 0,
−𝑇𝐵𝐴 sin 𝜃𝐵𝐴 − 4.82 sin 32.3° − 3 = 0
and hence ∆𝑦 → 0, ∆𝜃 → 0, and ∆𝑇 → 0, we obtain
𝜽𝑩𝑨 = 𝟓𝟑. 𝟖° 𝑻𝑩𝑨 = 𝟔. 𝟗𝟎 𝒌𝑵 𝑑(𝑇 cos 𝜃)
=0
ℎ = 2 tan 53.8° = 𝟐. 𝟕𝟒 𝒎 𝑑𝑥
𝑑(𝑇 sin 𝜃)
= 𝑤𝑂
𝑑𝑥
5.3. CABLE SUBJECTED TO A UNIFORM DISTRIBUED
𝑑𝑦
LOAD = tan 𝜃
𝑑𝑥
Cables provide a very effective means of Integrating, where 𝑇 = 𝐹𝐻 at 𝑥 = 0, we have:
supporting the dead weight of girders or bridge
decks having very long spans. A suspension bridge 𝑇 cos 𝜃 = 𝐹𝐻
is a typical example, in which the deck is suspended
Which indicated the horizontal component of force at any point along the cable
from the cable using a series of close and equally
remains constant.
spaced hangers.
Integrating, where 𝑇 sin 𝜃 = 0 at 𝑥 = 0, we have:
In order to analyze this problem, we will
first determine the shape of a cable subjected to a 𝑇 sin 𝜃 = 𝑤𝑂 𝑥
uniform horizontally distributed vertical load. Here
𝑑𝑦
the x, y axes have their origin located at the lowest Dividing the above equations, eliminates T. Then using 𝑑𝑥
= tan 𝜃, we can obtain
point on the cable, such that the slope is zero at this the slope at any point,
point. The free-body diagram of a small segment of
the cable having a length ∆𝑠 is shown. Since the 𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝑂 𝑥
tan 𝜃 = =
tensile force in the cable changes continuously in 𝑑𝑥 𝐹𝐻
both magnitude and direction along the cable’s
Performing a second integration with 𝑦 = 0 at 𝑥 = 0 yields
length, this change is denoted by its resultant force
 𝑤𝑂 𝑥 2 SOLUTION:
𝑦=
2𝐹𝐻
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 =
2ℎ
Finally, substituting into the equation yields,
ℎ 2
𝑦= 𝑥
𝐿2
From the equation, the maximum tension in the cable occurs when 𝜃 is
maximum, at 𝑥 = 𝐿. Hence,
The free-body diagram of the cable-truss system shown in the figure. The
𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 = √𝐹 2 𝐻 + (𝑤𝑂 𝐿)2 horizontal component of cable tensio at I and H must be constant, 𝐹𝐻 . Taking
moments about B, we have
∑ 𝑀𝐵 = 0; −𝐼𝑦 (24) − 𝐴𝑦 (24) + 50(9) = 0
MODULE EXERCISES:
5.2. The suspension bridge in the figure is constructed using the two stiffening 𝐼𝑦 + 𝐴𝑦 = 18.75
trusses that are pin connected at their ends C and supported by a pin at A If only half the suspended is
and a rocker at B. Determine the maximum tension in the cable IH. The considered, then summing moments about the pin
cable has a parabolic shape and the bridge is subjected to the single load of at C, we have
50 kN.
∑ 𝑀𝐶 = 0;

𝐹𝐻 (14) − 𝐹𝐻 (6) − 𝐼𝑦 (12) − 𝐴𝑦 (12) = 0

𝐼𝑦 + 𝐴𝑦 = 0.667𝐹𝐻

From these two equations

18.75 = 0.667𝐹𝐻
𝐹𝐻 = 28.125 𝑘𝑁
 To obtain the maximum tension in the cable, we will use the equation,
but first it is necessary to determine the value of an assumed uniform distributed
loading,
2𝐹𝐻 ℎ 2(28.125)(8)
𝑤𝑂 = = = 3.125 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
𝐿2 (12)2
Then,

𝐿 2
𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑤𝑂 𝐿√1 + ( )
2ℎ

12 2
𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 3.125(12)√1 + ( )
2𝑥8

𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 46.9 𝑘𝑁

5.4. ARCHES
Like cables, arches can be used to reduce the bending moments in long- MODULE EXERCISES:
span structures. Essentially, an arch act as an inverted cable, so it receives its load 5.3. The three-hinged open-spandrel arch bridge has a parabolic shape. If this arch
mainly in compression although, because of its rigidity, it must also resist some were to support a uniform load and have the dimensions shown, show that
bending and shear depending upon how it is loaded and shaped. In particular, if the the arch is subjected only to axial compression at any intermediate point
arch has a parabolic shape and it is subjected to a uniform horizontally distributed such as point D. Assume the load is uniformly transmitted to the arch ribs.
vertical load, then from the analysis of cables it follows that only compressive forces
will be resisted by the arch. Under this condition the arch shape is called a funicular
arch because no bending or shear forces occur within the arch.

5.5. THREE-HINGED ARCH

To determine the reactions at the supports, the arch is disassembled and the
free-body diagram of each member is shown.
SOLUTION: 𝑑𝑦 −50
tan 𝜃 = = 𝑥| = −0.5
𝑑𝑥 (50)2 𝑥=25
Here the supports are at the same elevation. The free-body diagrams of the entire
arch and part BC are shown. Applying the equations of equilibrium, we 𝜃 = −26.6°
have

Applying the equations of equilibrium, we have

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0, 25 − 𝑁𝐷 cos 26.6° − 𝑉𝐷 sin 26.6° = 0
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0, −`12.5 + 𝑁𝐷 sin 26.6° − 𝑉𝐷 cos 26.6° = 0
From the entire arch:
∑ 𝑀𝐷 = 0, 𝑀𝐷 + 12.5(12.5) − 25(6.25) = 0
∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0, 𝐶𝑦 (100) − 50(50) = 0
𝑵𝑫 = 𝟐𝟖𝒌 𝑽𝑫 = 𝟎 𝑴𝑫 = 𝟎
𝐶𝑦 = 25𝑘

Arch segment BC:

5.4. The three-hinged tied arch is subjected to the loading shown. Determine the
∑ 𝑀𝐵 = 0, force in members CH and CB. The dashed member GF of the truss in
intended to carry no force.
−25(25) + 25(50) − 𝐶𝑥 (25) = 0
𝐶𝑥 = 25𝑘
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0, 𝐵𝑥 = 25𝑘
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0, 𝐵𝑦 − 25 + 25 = 0

𝐵𝑦 = 0
−25(25)2
A section of the arch taken through point D, 𝑥 = 25𝑓𝑡, 𝑦 = (50)2
= −6.25𝑓𝑡.
The slope of the segment at D is
SOLUTION:
The support reactions can be obtained from a free-body diagram of the entire arch.
∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0, 3 3
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0, 𝐹𝐶𝐵 ( )− 21 − 𝐹𝐶𝐻 ( ) = 0;
√10 √10
𝐸𝑦 (12) − 15(3) − 20(6) − 15(9) = 0 1 1
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0, 𝐹𝐶𝐵 ( )− 20 + 𝐹𝐶𝐻 ( ) + 10 = 0;
√10 √10
𝐸𝑦 = 25 𝑘𝑁
Thus,
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0, 𝐴𝑥 = 0
𝑭𝑪𝑩 = 𝟐𝟔. 𝟗 𝒌𝑵 (𝑪)
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0,
𝑭𝑪𝑯 = 𝟒. 𝟕𝟒 𝒌𝑵 (𝑻)
𝐴𝑦 − 15 − 20 − 15 + 25 = 0

𝐴𝑦 = 25 𝑘𝑁

The force components acting at joint C can be determined by considering the free-
body diagram of the left part of the arch. First, we determine the force:
MODULE REVIEW:
∑ 𝑀𝐶 = 0, 𝐹𝐴𝐸 (5) − 25(6) + 15(3) = 0
1. Determine the tension in each segment of the cable and the cable’s total length.
𝐹𝐴𝐸 = 21 𝑘𝑁
Then,
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0, −𝐶𝑥 + 21 = 0
𝐶𝑥 = 21 𝑘𝑁
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0, 𝐶𝑦 + 25 − 15 − 20 = 0

𝐶𝑦 = 10 𝑘𝑁

To obtain the forces in CH and CB, we can use the method

of joints as follows:
At Joint G;
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0, 𝐹𝐺𝐶 − 20 = 0; 𝐹𝐺𝐶 = 20 𝑘𝑁 (𝐶)

At Joint C; 2. Cable ABCD supports the loading shown. Determine the maximum tension in the
cable and the sag of point B.
 5. Determine the maximum uniform loading 𝑤, measured in lb/ft, that the cable can
3. Determine the tension in each cable segment and the distance 𝑦𝐷 . support if it is capable of sustaining a maximum tension of 3000 lb before it
will break.

6. The trusses are pin connected and suspended from the parabolic cable. Determine
the maximum force in the cable when the structure is subjected to the loading
shown.
4. The cable supports the uniform load of 𝑤𝑂 = 600𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡. Determine the tension
in the cable at each supports A and B.
7. 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.

8. Determine the resultant forces at the pins A, B and C of the three-hinged arched
roof truss.