THEORY OF THE NON-ELASTIC AND ELASTIC

CATENARY AS APPLIED TO
TRANSMISSION LINES
BY

C. A. PIERCE, F. J. ADAMS and G. I. GILCHREST

Presented under the auspices of the

High Tension Transmission Committee

PERCY H. THOMAS, Chairman, 2 Rector Street, New York.
H. E. BUSSEY, Atlanta, Ga.
HAROLD PENDER, Boston, Mass.
MAX COLLBOHM, Madison, Wis.
NORMAN ROWE, Mexico City, Mez.
G. FACCIOLI, Pittsfield, Mass.
C. S. RUFFNER, St. Louis, Mo.
P. T. HANSCOM, San Francisco, Cal. DAVID B. RUSHMORE, Schenectady, N. Y.
JOHN HARISBERGER, Seattle, Wash. HARRIS J. RYAN, Stanford University, Cal.
R. F. HAYWARD, Vancouver, B. C.
P. W. SOTHMAN, Toronto, Ont.

1373

THEORY OF THE NON-ELASTIC AND ELASTIC CATENARY AS

APPLIED TO TRANSMISSION LINES
BY C. A. PIERCE, F. J. ADAMS AND G. I. GILCHREST
ABSTRACT OF PAPER

Equations for length of conductor, span, tension and sag are derived
on the basis of a flexible elastic conductor. These equations contain func
tions of , the angle of bending of the curve in which the conductor hangs,
and a constant. The constant is eliminated in two ways leading, (a), to
the characteristic ratios of the elastic and non-elastic catenaries, (b), to
three equations which give the values of tension, length of conductor and
sag in terms of each other. Numerical values of the characteristic ratios
of the simple catenary are tabulated for angles less than sixty degrees.
By means of this table problems based upon the theory of the non-elastic
catenary may be solved readily.
The characteristic ratios of the elastic catenary are reduced to more
simple approximate forms involving the characteristic ratios of the nonelastic catenary. The equations which give the exact values of the
ratios of the elastic catenary are too complicated to use.
The results of tests on an experimental span approximately two hundred
feet long are given in two tables and these values are compared withtha
theoretical values based on the non-elastic catenary.

1374

A paper to be presented at the 30* Annual Con

vention of the American Institute of Electrical
Engineers, Cooperstown, N. Y., June 25, 1913.
Copyright, 1913. By A. I. E. E.
(Subject to final revision for the Transactions.)

THEORY OF T H E NON-ELASTIC AND ELASTIC

CATENARY AS APPLIED TO TRANSMISSION LINES
C A. P I E R C E , F . J . ADAMS A N D G. I . G I L C H R E S T

Though many engineers have written articles on the subject of

tensions and sags in suspended wires, few have given any atten
tion to the theory of the subject, being satisfied to refer to some
text-book, or other guide, for authority. When the novice turns
to these references, he usually finds them insufficient for the under
standing of the articles in which the references occur and he is
forced to spend more or less time in recreating the articles. I t
would seem then that there is need for an article dealing with the
theory of the catenary as applied to transmission lines. Further
more, there seems to be need for more experimental data to test
the accuracy of the equations with the actual measured values
on real spans. It is believed that these data can be obtained in
the laboratory on short spans with small wires better than would
be possible out of doors on long spans with larger wires, because
of the readiness with which various conditions can be controlled
in the laboratory.
This article deals with the theory of the catenary as applied to
transmission lines, and experimental data are compared with the
values derived by use of the theoretical equations.
THEORETICAL

When a perfectly flexible elastic string 'hangs between two

horizontal supports and is acted on by gravitation only, it takes
the form of a curve which has been called the elastic catenary.
The equation for this curve is deduced as follows:
Referring to Fig. 1, let the length of the arc of the elastic
catenary, P2OPi. be measured from 0, the lowest point of the
1375

1376

PIERCE,

ADAMS

AND GILCHREST:

[June 25

arc. Consider an element, dl, of the arc between two points, P

and P ' . The element dl, is under tension and consequently is
stretched. If the unstretched length of dl is da, then by
Hooke's law,
dl = da {I - ) ,
where is the elastic constant of the string and T is the tension
which stretches length da into length dl. If the weight of unit
length of the unstretched string is W, then the weight of dl,
which is equal to weight of da, is equal to W da. Substituting
the value of da as given in the formula above, the weight of
element dl is equal to W dl -r- (1 + ).
The vertical component, V, of the tension at P differs from that
at P ' by the weight of the element dl, hence,
dV

=W

dl
1 + T

FIG.

But V = H tan , where H is the horizontal component of the

tension at P and is the angle between the tension at P and the
horizontal component H. Hence,
()

= W

dl
1 + T

or, since H is constant along the arc,

d (tan</>) =

W
dl
H 1 +

Letting W + H = 1 + K and \H = N, where K and N are

constants, and substituting T = H sec ,
dl = K (1 + N sec</>) d (tan<)
= K (1 + N sec0) sec2</>
= K sec2</> + K N sec3<

(1)

1913]

THEORY OF THE

CATENARY

1377

Now,
I sec20'd< = tan<
and

To prove the latter equation which is not one of the simpler

integrals, one can differentiate the answer.
d [1/2 (sec</> tan< + gdrl4> )]
= 1/2 [tan 2 0 sec</> + sec 3 0 + sec< d<j>]
= 1/2 [sec 3 0 + sec</> (tan 2 0 + 1)]
= sec3<
Hence, integrating (1)
I = K tan< H

K N sec< t a n <
^ (

^ + ^-1)

(2)

This equation for the length, /, of an arc of the catenary is

known as the intrinsic equation of the curve because it gives the
length of the arc in terms of the angle of bending, , of the arc,
and constants. This equation can be changed into equations
based upon the rectangular co-ordinate system. To do this let
the direction P2 Pi, Fig. 1, determine the direction of the X-axis
and the vertical to P 2 P i determine the direction of the F-axis,
the position of the origin of the co-ordinates being as yet un
known. As seen in Fig. 1, dy = dl sin<. But, as proved above,
dl = K (sec2 + N sec3< ) . Hence,
dy K sin (sec2 + N sec3 ) d
= K (sec tan + N sec2 tan )
and
y = K (sec + N/2 tan 2 )
Also, as seen in Fig. 1, dx = dl cos .

Hence,

dx = K cos (sec2 + N sec3 )

= K (sec + N sec2 )
and,

x = K (gd-1 + N tan )

(4

The constants of integration for the two equations of y and x

are zero if the origin of co-ordinates is chosen properly. If
the F-axis is taken so that it passes through 0, the center of the

1378

PIERCE, ADAMS AND GILCHREST:

[June 25

arc of the catenary, then equation (4) is satisfied. And if the

origin of co-ordinates is taken a distance K below the point 0,
then equation (3) is satisfied.
It is desirable to eliminate the angle from equations (3) and
(4), but this cannot be done at all easily so the equations are
left in the form given above.
Collecting formulas for the elastic catenary :

/ = K [tan + N/2 (sec tan + gd~ '</>)]

y = K (sec + N/2 tan2 )
x = K (gd~l + N tan )
T = H sec = K W sec
H = T -f- sec
V = T sin
K = the j-intercept of catenary

(6)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)

Using subscripts, as /i, etc., to refer to the value of / at one

of the supports, etc.
Lx = 2 / i = 2 i [tan + N/2 (sec tan + gdr1 )] (12)
yi = K (sec 1 + N/2 tan 2

(13)

= 2 Xl = 2 K (gd- + N tan )

(14)

Ti = KW sec

(16)
' (16)

= Const. = Ti + sec
Fi = Ti sin 1
Si =yi-K

(17)
2

= K (sec - 1 + iV/2 tan )

(18)

where Li is the length of arc between supports, i.e., the length

of the stretched string, yx is the F-coordinate of a support, Xi
is the length of span, 7\ is the tension tangential to the string
at either support, Si is the sag at the center of the span and is
equal to the vertical distance from 0 to the line between the
supports, etc.
The equations for length of arc, span, tension, sag, etc., are
in terms of K, N, and functions of . As these equations are
difficult to use, it is customary to assume for a first approxima- '
tion that N is equal to zero, i.e., that the string does not stretch
appreciable under tension. Making this approximation, the
equations of the simple catenary are deduced. They are:

1913]

THEORY OF THE

CATENARY

1379

Lx = 2 K tan

(19)

yi = K sec

(20)

Xi = 2 # gi-i 1

(21)

= # T^sec0i

(22)

H = Ti + sec

(23)

Fi = sin !

(24)

Si = K (sec \ - 1)

(26)

While the equations the simple catenary can be changed into

many different forms, the ones above are the simplest in form and
show that the various quantities of interest to engineers in de
signing the mechanical characteristics of transmission lines are
functions of K and , the tension including another factor, W,
the weight of the unstretched conductor per unit length.
Unfortunately, the factor K is difficult to deal with directly.
It can be eliminated in two ways; the most obvious way is to
take ratios of the quantities, such as L\ 4- Xu Xx + 7\, etc.
The important equations below are obtained in this manner.
These equations may be appropriately called the characteristic
ratios of the simple catenary.*
The characteristic ratios of the simple catenary are:
L\

tan
gd~l

Xx
T\

_ 2 gd-\
sec

S\

(26)

^
W

sec 1
2 get*

SX_ _ secjti^l
7\
sec
Si
Li

sec 1
2 tan

Li
Ti

2 tan
sec

(27)

(28)

1
W

(29)

(30)
1

4W

OD

*The equations are given for one point, the support, on the catenary,
because the quantities in these equations are of especial interest to engi
neers. The general characteristic ratios of the simple catenary are de
rived from the equations of /, y, x, T, etc., above.

1380

PIERCE, ADAMS AND GILCHREST:

[June 25

Table No. 1 gives the numerical values of'these ratios for vari
ous values of the angle , From these values, curves can be
plotted from which the values of the ratios for any angle less
than 60 deg. can be interpolated. For accurate work the curves
must be plotted to a reasonable scale. However, the values in
TABLE I
THEORETICAL CHARACTERISTIC RATIOS

(Based on W, weight per unit length, equal to unity.)

Angle

0
1

Li

Si

Si

Si

L\

Xi

Ti

Xi

Ti

Tl

1.00005
1.00020

0.0349
0.0698

0.00436
0.00873

0.000152
0.000609

0.00436
0.00873

0.0349
0.0698

3
4
5

1.00046
1.00081
1.00127

0.1046
0.1394
0.1741

0.01309
0.01747
0.02186

0.001370
0.002436
0.003805

0.01309
0.01746
0.02183

0.1047
0.1395
0.1743

6
7
8

1.00184
1.00250
1.00327

0.2087
0.2431
0.2774

0.02626
0.03066
0.03508

0.005478
0.007454
0.009732

0.02620
0.03058
0.03496

0.2091
0.2437
0.2783

9
10
12

1.00415
1.00514
1.00744

0.3116
0.3455
0.413

0.03951
0.04397
0.0529

0.01231
0.01519
0.02185

0.03935
0.04374
0.0525

0.3129
0.3473
0.416

14
15
16

1.01084
1.01173
1.01340

0.479
0.512
0.544

0.0620
0.0666
0.0712

0.02970
0.03407
0.03874

0.0614
0.0658
0.0703

0.484
0.518
0.551

18
20
25

1.01710
1.02130
1.03423

0.608
0.670
0.817

0.0805
0.0900
0.1146

0.04894
0.0603
0.0937

0.0792
0.0882
0.1108

0.618
0.684
0.845

30
35
40

1.0510
1.0726
1.0999

0.951
1.070
1.169

0.1408
0.1691
0.2001

0.1340
0.1808
0.2339

0.1340
0.1576
0.1820

1.000
1.147
1.285

45
50
55

1.1346
1.1792
1.2373

1.246
1.299
1.324

0.2350
0.2749
0.3220

0.2929
0.3571
0.4264

0.2071
0.2331
0.2603

1.414
1.532
1.638

60

1.3152

1.317

0.3796

0.5000

0.2887

1.732

table No. 1 are computed for values of the angle, , sufficiently

close together so that values may be interpolated from the table
directly for all ordinary work without resorting to curves. The
constant, W> is assumed to be unity in table No. 1. The values
of the ratios for any weight per unit length of conductor is ob
tained by simple multiplication, using the reciprocal of W as

1913]

THEORY OF THE CATENARY

1381

indicated in equations (26) to (31) inclusive. Any problem in

connection with the simple catenary, in which any two of the
quantities occurring in the characteristic ratios are given, can be
solved by means of table No. 1, Thus, if length of conductor
and span are given, the tension, sag, etc., can be obtained im
mediately from the table.
The other method of eliminating K from equations (19) to
(25) inclusive is not quite so obvious as the first method. Since
some of the equations below are of interest in their general form,
i.e., when they are not referred to the point of suspension, K
will be eliminated from equations (5), (6), (7), etc. Letting N
equal zero in equations (6) and (7),
y = K sec
x = K gd~l
Combining and remembering that dy -s- dx = tan
x
x
y = K sec gd -^ = K cosh -^
A

(32)

= sinhf=tan*

(33)

= t a n - 1 sinh

(34)

From (5), letting N equal zero and substituting (34),

I = ^

= Ksinh^

(35)

Li = 2 h = 2 K sinh ^

= 2 K sinh r ^ r -

A.

From (8) and (6), letting N equal zero and combining,

T = A Wsec<
y = K sec
T =Wy

(36)

(37)

Substituting (32) in (37),

T =

WKcosh-Z-

Tx = WK cosh g - = W X cosh 2 ^ -

(38)

1382

PIERCE, ADAMS AND GILCHREST:

[June 25

Combining (36) and (38),

U

r,

2
xi
= -n-, tanh -^

tanh

XI

Jfi

-1

-1

--

2 tanh

- ^y-

Substituting this value of K in (38), letting Li -s- 2 Ti = Qi,

ii =

cosh tanh '

2 tanh- -_

i 1

W*i

v,

2 tanh" 1 WQi

Vl

W^QS

(39)

The proof of the reduction formula for cosh t a n h - 1 x is in every

way analogous to the proof of the reduction formula for cos
t a n - 1 x.
By proofs similar to the one leading to (39)
L ^1
Sl =

Xl
1

tanh- W<2x

WQl

V l - W*Qi*

2tanh" 1 Vi \T=W*Q? ~

(4)

(41)

These last three equations give 7\, Lh and Si in terms of span,

-, weight per unit length unstretched conductor, W, and a ratio,
Oi, which is of course merely a number. Inspection of equations
(26) to (31) will show that 7\, Li and 5 are dependent on W
only as a multiplying factor or not at all, hence in equations
(39), (40) and (41), W can'be placed equal to unity. Also Xx
can be placed equal to unity, and equations (39), (40) and (41)
will be reduced to equations for unit span and unit weight of
conductor per unit length. Since Xi and W are only multiply
ing values, the tension, length of arc and sag for any values of
Xi and W are found from the values for unit span etc., by direct
proportion as indicated in equations (25) to (31) and (39) to (41).
The equations (39) to (41) may be used to compute values of
Tu Li and Si with which the characteristic ratios of a simple
catenary may be computed. Also, curves can be plotted between
Tu L\ and S\ as has already been done in an excellent article by

1913]

THEORY OF THE CATENARY

1383

Mr. Thomas. Mr. Thomas did not mention in his article the
method by which he obtained his values, but the equations (39)
to (41) can be used for this purpose. Given suitable tables of th
hyperbolic functions, these equations are simple to use due to
the presence of the same functions in all of the equations.
Example. To find the tension at point of suspension and the
sag if a conductor 1001.27 ft., (305.19 m.), long is hung between
two horizontal supports 1000 ft., (304.80 m.), apart, W = 1 lb.,
(0.4536 kg.). From the data given, Lx 4- Xx = 1.00127.
From table No. 1 this is seen to give an angle at the .supports
equal to 5 deg. Hence, as read from the table, X\ -*- 7\ = 0.1741
or Ti = 5744 lb., (2605.4 kg.). Also, from the table, Si -*- Xl
= 0.02186, or Si = 21.86 ft., (6.66 m.). These results can be
checked by means of equations (39) to (41). From the values
just determined, the ratio Qi = Li -l 2 7\ = 0.08716. Sub
stituting in equation (39), 7\ = 57441b., (2605.4 kg.). Sub
stituting in equation (41), Si = 21.86 ft., (6.66 m.), and sub
stituting in equation (40), Lx = 1001.29 ft., (305.19 m.). This
checks the problem and also the formulas.
The above check was made using six-place logarithm tables
and the Smithsonian tables of hyperbolic functions.
The
check is seen to be very good. When computing the values in
table No. 1, it was found that the Smithsonian tables did not give
the values of the anti-gudermanian to sufficient decimal places
to allow one to determine the ratio L\ -f X\ tan -s- gdr1
accurately for small values of \. It will be noticed, by refer
ence to the table, that this ratio does not differ from unity by
as much as 0.1 per cent until becomes as great as five degrees.
Furthermore, both tan and gdr1 \ are nearly equal for small
values of . Hence, in order to calculate this ratio accurately,
it was found necessary to calculate the values of gd~l by the
equation,
gdrl4>i = log, tan (/4 + /2)
The characteristic ratios of the simple catenary, the example
above, and equations (39) to (41) are all based on the assumption
that the conductor does not stretch, i.e., that the elastic constant,
: = N -5- H, is equal to zero. If this assumption is not made,
then one must use equations (12) to (18) inclusive in connection
with a problem, or else make corrections in the simple formulae
based on = 0. The constant K can be eliminated from equa
tions (12) to (18) by taking ratios as has already been done for
the equations for the simple catenary. If this is done, the six

1384

PIERCE, ADAMS AND GILCHREST:

[June 25

characteristic ratios for an elastic catenary are obtained. Using

bracketed quantities when they are based on the assumption
of an elastic constant different from zero, the characteristic
ratios follow:

tan 0i + N/2 (sec \ tan + gd'1 )

gdrA + N tan

2 ^ - 1 0 i + 2iVtan0i

J_

sec

PF

()

sec - 1 + iV/2 tan 2

2g^"10i + 2iVtan0i
sec - 1 + iV/2 tan 2
sec

Si
Li J

(44)

W'

(46)

sec - 1 + JV/2 tan 2

2 tan + N (sec tan + gdr1 )

(42)

2 tan + N (sec tan + g^"1 )

sec

(46)

_1_ , ^
W

Letting N = 0, these equations reduce to equations (26) to (31)

inclusive, the six characteristic ratios for the simple catenary.
It is, in general, impossible to use the characteristic ratios for
the elastic catenary. Inspection of equations (43), (45) and
(47) will show, however, that these three equations can be
expressed in terms of the ratios of the simple catenary. Con
sider equation (43),

m-

2gdrl + 2 i V t a n 0 i
sec
2 id-*
sec

_1_
W

1
2 tan,
W "*"
sec

J_
W

--+-!-

(48)

- ^ - + - ^ - cos (approx.)
i l

Xi

il

+ Li cos (approx.)

(49)

1913]

THEORY OF THE CATENARY

1385

From formulas (45) and (47),

S
7\
--

+' -4 Li sin (approx.)

+

(50)

sin + y cos (approx.) (51)

These formulas show that the characteristic ratios for the

elastic catenary can be expressed in terms of the corresponding
ratios for the simple catenary together with a correction factor.
Inspection will show that any correction factor is but a small
fraction of the whole expression, hence the approximation is
close. A problem will illustrate this point.
Let Z i = 1000, W = 1, = 2.41 X 10~7, to determine the
tension, sag and length of conductor when the wire is strung
between horizontal supports so that = 5 deg. From
table No. 1.

U
Xl
Xi

s,

= 1.00127, hence Li = 1001.3

= 0.1741,

" 7\ = 5744

= 0.02186,

" Sx = 2 1 . 8 6

Using formulas (49), (50) and (51),

p ^ - ] = 0.1743, hence [7\] = 5737

- ^ - = 0.003810,

" [5!] = 2 1 . 8 6

" [Li] = 1001

0.1745

This problem shows that if a conductor is suspended between

horizontal supports 1000 units apart so that the angle is equal
to five degrees, the sag and tension will be essentially the same

1386

PIERCE, ADAMS AND GILCHREST:

[June 25

whether one assumes the elastic constant equal to zero or equal

to its true value. Inspection of equations (48) to (51) will show
that this conclusion is approximately true for all sags, tensions, spans f etc.
It is to be noticed that equations (48), (50) and (51) are suffi
cient to determine the remaining three characteristic ratios
of the elastic catenary.
The problem of finding how the sag and tension, etc., vary
with temperature change is simple if the elastic constant is as
sumed equal to zero. The problem is solved at one temperature
by means of table No. 1, using the values of Lu W, etc., at this
temperature. Then the new length and new weight per unit
length are determined at the new temperature by means of the
usual formulas,

where L\ and W refer to temperature /, and W refer to temp

erature /' and a is the temperature coefficient of expansion.
These new values of length and weight are substituted in the
characteristic ratios for the simple catenary and the problem
solved by use of table No. 1, assuming the span, Xu to remain
unchanged.
In all of the problems and equations above, W stands for the
weight of unstretched conductor per unit length. This value
includes not only the weight of the material of the conductor
but also the weight of ice that may surround the conductor.
If wind pressure is assumed to blow the conductor out of the
vertical plane so that it still hangs in the form of a catenary curve
then W will include the factor of wind pressure, the resultant
weight per unit length of unstretched conductor being the vector
sum of the weight of conductor, weight of ice and equivalent
weight of wind pressure. It is evident that the first two factors
add arithmetically and act downward in the direction of the force
of gravity while the equivalent weight of wind pressure will in
general be at right angles to the plane of the conductor when it
hangs in its normal position, the resultant weight, W, acting in
the plane in which the conductor actually hangs.

1913]

THEORY OF THE CATENARY

1387

The problem of finding the change in sag, tension, etc., due to

a change in W is difficult to treat accurately. The authors know
of no better procedures than the approximate ones suggested by
several writers, including Mr. H. W. Buck and Mr. P. H. Thomas;
references to these articles are given below. This general prob
lem could be solved immediately by use of the characteristic
ratios of an elastic catenary, equations (42) to (47) inclusive,
if it were not that these equations are too complex to use.
EXPERIMENTAL

In order to check the theoretical equations derived above with

experimental data, an experimental span was erected in the
laboratory. A large /-beam which ran the length of the labora
tory, about 200 ft. (61.0 m.) was used as a support for the wire
span. The length of the actual span was 190.70 ft. (58.12 m.).
No. 4 A.w.g. hard drawn copper wire was chosen for the first
tests, which are the only tests included in this article. In order
to straighten the wire it was stretched to about its elastic limit
and then allowed to hang several days before the measurements
were begun. Each end of the wire was caught in a clamp which
was ffee to turn in a vertical plane determined by the wire. At
one end of the span, the clamp was supported by means of a
system of links in such manner that the horizontal tension could
be computed directly from the readings of a small platform
balance. The vertical tension was taken as the weight of half
of the wire included between the clamps. The sags at different
points in the span were measured by a rod from stations which
had been leveled by means of a surveyor's level. The sags were
measured at nine equidistant stations between the points of
suspension. These stations were numbered 1 to 9 consecutively,
making station 5 come at the center of the span. The points of
suspension were at stations 0 and 10. A gallery in the laboratory
furnished the support for the stations and the wire hung down in
front of this gallery. This arrangement allowed the sag measure
ments to be made with a much shorter rod than would have
been necessary if the sags had been measured directly from the
line of the suspensions. The rod with which the sags were mea
sured ran through a guide which was set up vertically at each
station, and contact with the wire was judged by means of an
electrical contact arrangement. With this device no difficulty
was experienced in measuring sags to about 0.02 inch, (0.051 cm.
though the small vibrations of the wire caused by machinery in

1388

PIERCE, ADAMS AND GILCHREST:

[June 25

the laboratory made some measurements vary by as much as

0.06 inch, (0.152 cm.).
All weights were obtained on the same platform balance so
that the calibration of the balance was unnecessary. It was
assumed that the balance, a new one, would give a straight line
for the calibration curve. All lengths were referred to either a
B. & S. steel tape or to a Starrett steel tape. These tapes were
accepted as accurate.
TABLE I I
CHARACTERISTIC RATIOS

Comparison of Experiment and Theory

Run

Li
Xi

Xi ' -S* X 10- Si

Ti

Ti

Si

X 10-1

Li

X 10-2

Li
Ti

No. 1 A
B
C

u
D

1.022
1.022
1.022
1.023

5.48
5.42
5.39
5.48

9.12
9.21
9.12
9.35

5.01
5.01
4.91
5.16

8.93
9.01
8.92
9.14

5.61
5.54
5.49
5.62

Exp.
theory

No. 2 A
B
C
D

3.95
3.91
3.88
3.95

6.32
6.38
6.32
6.45

2.49
2.49
2.45
2.55

6.25
6.31
6.25
6.38

3.99
3.95
3.92
3.99

Exp.
theory

1.011
1.011
1.011
1.011

No. 3 A
U
B
u
C
u
D

1.005
1.005
1.005
1.005

2.72
2.69
2.66
2.72

4.26
4.31
4.26
4.36

1.161
1.161
1.138
1.189

4.24
4.29
4.24
4.34

2.73
2.70
2.68
2.74

Exp.
theory

No. 4 A
B
C
"
U
D

1.002
1.002
1.002
1.002

1.609
1.574
1.551
1.611

2.45
2.49
2.45
2.55

0.395
0.395
0.384
0.412

2.45
2.49
2.45
2.55

1.612 Exp.
1.576 theory
1.553

1.612

No. 5 A
B
" C
D

1.003
1.005
1.005
1.005

0.845
0.840
0.838
0.844

1.32
1.32
1.32
1.33

0.112
0.112
0.112
0.113

1.32
1.32
1.32
1.33

0.845 Exp.
0.840 theory
0.839

0.845

"

u
u

Each run in the tests consisted in drawing the wire up to some

desired sag. Then balance readings were taken to determine
the horizontal tension, and sags were measured from the leveled
stations. From the former measurements the tension at the
suspension could be immediately computed using the half weight
of the wire in the span as the vertical tension. The weight of
the wire in the span was determined by weighing and measuring
the total wire used, and at each run the wire that extended be-

1913]

THEORY OF THE

CATEARY

1389

yond the clamps was deducted. The angle, } between the

tension in the wire and the horizontal could be determined from
the balance readings and weight of wire. From the sag measure
ments the actual sags below the horizontal line through the points
of suspension could be computed.
Using the measured values of , Xly Lu 7\ and 5, the char
acteristic ratios for the span could be computed directly. These
values are shown in table No. 2, lines A. Using the measured
values of , the theoretical values of the characteristic ratios
for a simple catenary are shown in lines D. Using the measured
TABLE I I I
SAGS (unit = ft.)
Comparison of Experiment and Theory
Stations
Run
No. 1
It
tt

No. 2
It

No. 3

"
It

No. 4
It

No. 5

"

0 and 10 1 and 9 2 and 8

3 and 7 4 and 6

A
B
C

0
0
0

6.31
6.29
6.45

11.18
11.16
11.43

14.63
14.62
14.97

16.72
16.69
17.09

17.38
17.38
17.79

Exp.
theory

A
B
C

0
0
0

4.37
4.35
4.44

7.73
7.73
7.86

10.14
10.13
10.34

11.59
11.57
11.81

12.05
12.05
12.30

Exp.
theory

A
B
C

0
0
0

2.95
2.92
3.00

5.23
5.21
5.33

6.85
6.83
6.99

7.82
7.81
7.99

8.13
8.13
8.32

Exp.
theory

A
B
C

0
0
0

1.72
1.69
1.75

3.02
3.00
3.11

3.95
3.93
4.08

4.51
4.50
4.67

4.68
4.68
4.86

Exp.
theory

A
B
C

0
0
0

0.91
0.91
0.92

1.61
1.61
1.63

2.11
2.12
2.13

2.42
2.42
2.44

2.52
2.52
2.54

Exp.
theory

tt

values of S\ and 7\, the angle can be interpolated from table

No. 1 and the remaining theoretical characteristic ratios for the
simple catenary can also be interpolated from table No. 1. These
results are shown in lines B, table No. 2. The lines C give theore
tical values based on the measured values of S\ and X\.
Table No. 3, lines A, shows the measured sags at the various
stations. Since the sags at stations 0 and 10, 1 and 9, 2 and 8,
etc., should correspond respectively, the averages of these values
are shown in the table. The theoretical sags of a simple catenary
which would pass through the points of suspension and the point

1390

PIERCE4, ADAMS AND GILCHRBST:

[June 25

of maximum sag as determined experimentally are given in lines

By table No. 3. The theoretical sags of a simple catenary making
an angle, , at the suspension equal to the experimental angle
are given in lines C, table No. 3.
The data could have been worked up in various ways and vari
ous comparisons made, but the tables shown above give as com
prehensive an idea of the results as is possible in the space used.
CONCLUSION

Inspection of table No. 2 will show that the check between

experiment and theory, which is based on the characteristic
ratios of the simple catenary, is very good, if the number of
variable quantities is considered. Inspection of table No. 3
will show that the theoretical sag is greater then the actual
measured sag. The wire hung approximately in the form of a
simple catenary, however, as is shown in the same table. In
run 4, table No. 3, the wire seems to have departed from the
catenary form at stations 1 and 9, also at 2 and 8. This seeming
departure from the form of the simple catenary was due to the
clamp at one end of the span becoming wedged against a bolt
head as the sag was diminished. The effect is noticeable in run
3. Before making run 5, the trouble was located and the wire
again hangs in the form of a simple catenary as nearly as the
measurements will show.
The authors are not prepared to explain why the measured sags
were less than the sags computed from the measured angle .
If the angle , as measured, was too large, this would mean
that the measured horizontal tension or the measured vertical
tension was not accurate, but careful check of the apparatus did
not prove this assumption. It should be pointed out, furthermore,
that no attempt was made to correct for temperature changes
of the laboratory during the experiments. The changes were
small. When tested at several different times, the temperature
was found not to vary more than two deg. cent.
Further experiments with wires of different sizes are being
carried on at the present time. Next winter, it is proposed to
test the change of sag and tension with temperature change.
The apparatus was not completed in time to take advantage of
the cold weather during the past winter to obtain the lower
temperatures.
The authors wish to add that the use of hyperbolic functions
has become too general in engineering to need apology. The use

1913]

THEORY

OF THE

CATENARY

1391

of the gudermanian function and its inverse are not so general,

but their value is evident. The significance of these functions
is partially deducible from the equations, gd x = t a n - 1 (sinh x),
gd~l x = sinh - 1 (tan x). For turther information about hyper
bolic functions and the gudermanian, see references.
REFERENCES

Hyperbolic Functions, Professor J a m e s M c M a h o n .

Sag Calculations for Suspended Wires.
Percy H. Thomas. T R A N S .
A. I. E. E., Vol. X X X , p. 2229, 1911.
T h e Use of Aluminum as an Electrical Conductor, H. W. Buck. Trans.
Int. Elect. Congress, St. Louis, 1904, Vol. 2, p.313.