Cables Catenaries PDF

6.
7 Cables: Catenaries
6.7 Cables: Catenaries Example 1, page 1 of 4
1. An electric power line of length 140 m and mass per
unit length of 3 kg/m is to be suspended between two
towers 120 m apart and of the same height. Determine
the sag and maximum tension in the power line.
120 m
A B
1 Many problems involving catenary cables can be
solved using the following formulas:
s = c sinh (x/c) (1)
y2 s2 = c2 (2)
W = ws (3)
y = c cosh (x/c) (4)
To = wc (5)
y
T tension
T = wy (6)
in cable
where s (x, y) To horizontal
component
w = weight of cable per unit length of cable, of tension
and c
W = weight of length of cable from low x
point to a point a distance s along
the cable.
Other quantities are defined in the figure to the

right.
sB (140 m)/2 2 The sag, h, can be found from Eq. 2, provided that we
70 m can determine the distance, c:
A y B
yB2 sB2 = c2 (Eq. 2 evaluated at point B)
Sag h
or,
xB (120 m)/2 (h + c)2 (70 m)2 = c2 (7)

yB
60 m
c The distance, c, can be determined from Eq. 1:
sB = c sinh (xB/c) (Eq. 1 evaluated at point B)

x
or,
120 m 70 m = c sinh (60 m/c) (8)
This equation must be solved numerically for c. An initial

estimate for c, when the solver on a calculator is to be
used, could be
c = sB = 70 m
The solution to Eq. 8 is
c = 61.45 m
Another possible solution is c = 61.45 m, but this has no

physical meaning.
3 Substituting c = 61.45 m into Eq. 7 gives 4 The maximum tension, Tmax, occurs where the cable
has its steepest slope, point B ( or point A).
(h + c)2 (70 m) = c2 (Eq. 7 repeated)
(h + 61.45 m)2 (70 m)2 = (61.45 m)2 Tension T

A y B B
max
Solving gives the sag
h = 154.6 m h 31.70 m
and
yB
h = 31.70 m Ans.
c 61.45 m
The negative root has no physical meaning.
5 The maximum tension can be calculated from Eq. 6:
Tmax = wyB (Eq. 6 evaluated at point B)
w is given.
= (3 kg/m)(9.81 m/s2) (31.70 m + 61.45 m)
= 2740 N
= 2.74 kN Ans.
2. A cable is supported at two points 400 ft apart and at
the same elevation. If the sag is 40 ft and the weight per
unit length of the cable is 4 lb/ft, determine the length of
the cable and the tension at the low point, C.
400 ft
40 ft
A B
C
y2 s2 = c2 (2)
W = ws (3)
To = wc (5)
y
T = wy (6) T tension
in cable
where
s (x, y) To horizontal
component
and
c
the cable.

right.
2 The length of cable, sB, from the low point to point B can be 3 The distance c can be determined from Eq. 4:
found from Eq. 1, provided that we can determine the
distance c: yB = c cosh (xB/c) (Eq. 4 evaluated at point B)
sB = c sinh (xB/c) (Eq. 1 evaluated at point B) or,
= c sinh (200 ft/c) (7) c + 40 ft = c cosh (200 ft/c) (8)
This equation must be solved numerically. An initial

400 ft
estimate for c, when the solver on a calculator is to be
y used, could be
A sB B
xB (400 ft)/2 c = sag = 40 ft.
200 ft Sag 40 ft
A y B
xB 200 ft
yB
c
x
x
4 The solution to Eq. 8 is
c = 506.53 ft
Using this value of c in Eq. 7 gives
sB = c sinh (200 ft/c) (Eq. 7 repeated)
= (506.53 ft) sinh (200 ft/506.53 ft)
= 205.237 ft
By symmetry, the total length of cable is twice sB:
sTotal = 2 205.237 ft
= 410 ft Ans.
Because the tension at the low point of the cable is

horizontal, it can be found from Eq. 5:
To = wc (Eq. 5 repeated)
w is given.
= (4 lb/ft)(506.53 ft)
= 2,025 lb Ans.
3. A 20-m chain is suspended between two points at
the same elevation and with a sag of 6 m as shown.
If the total mass of the chain 45 kg, determine the
distance between the supports. Also determine the
maximum tension.
A B
6m
y2 s2 = c2 (2)
W = ws (3)
To = wc (5)
y
T tension
T = wy (6) in cable
component
and c
the cable.

right.
A y B sB 10 m
A y B
sB (20 m)/2 10 m
Sag 6m
xB yB
c
x
c
2 The distance between the supports is 2xB, and xB can be
found from Eq. 1, provided that we can determine the x
distance c;
3 The distance, c, can be determined from Eq. 2:
yB2 sB2 = c2 (Eq. 2 evaluated at point B)
10 m
or
This equation can be solved explicitly for xB by
(6 m + c)2 (10 m)2 = c2
rearranging it as
or
sinh (xB/c) = 10 m/c
36 + 12 c + c2 100 = c2
which implies
The c2 terms cancel and the resulting linear equation
xB/c = sinh-1(10 m/c)
has the solution
so
c = 5.333 m
xB = c sinh-1(10 m/c) (7)
4 Substituting this value of c into Eq. 7 gives
xB = c sinh-1(10 m/c) (Eq. 7 repeated)
= (5.333 m) sinh-1(10 m/5.333 m)
= 7.393 m
Thus the distance between supports, 2xB, can be found:
2xB = 2(7.393 m)
= 14.786 m Ans.
The maximum tension occurs where the slope of the cable is a T Tmax
maximum, at end B (or at A). Eq. 6 gives A y B
Sag 6m
Total weight of the cable yB
= y
Total length of the cable B
(45 kg)(9.81 m/s2) c 5.333 m

= (6 m + 5.333 m)
20 m x
= 250 N Ans.
4. A certain cable will break if the maximum tension
exceeds 500 N. If the cable is 50-m long and has a
mass of 50 kg, determine the greatest span possible.
Also determine the sag.
A B
Supports A and B are at the same elevation.

y2 s2 = c2 (2)
W = ws (3)
To = wc (5)
y
T = wy (6) T tension
in cable
where
s (x, y) To horizontal
w = weight of cable per unit length of cable, component
and of tension
c
the cable.

right.
2 The maximum tension has been specified (500 N), so
a good place to start our solution is to see how we can
use the fact that Tmax = 500 N. Eq. 6 relates the
tension, T, to the y coordinate of a point on the curve:
T = wy (Eq. 6 repeated)
Since Tmax occurs where the curve has its steepest

slope, Eq. 6 gives Tmax at point B:

3 Thus because we know the maximum tension, we can
compute yB:
T Tmax
A y
yB = Tmax
B w
Tmax
=
Total weight of the cable
yB Total length of the cable
500 N
=
(50 kg)(9.81 m/s2)
x Given 50 m
= 50.97 m (7)
4 The distance between supports is 2xB, so we need to use the
value of yB to determine xB. This can be done by using Eq. 4,
provided that we can determine c:
yB = c cosh (xB/c) (Eq. 4 evaluated at point B)

2 xB
We can solve this equation explicitly for xB by rewriting it as (By symmetry)
A B
y
cosh (xB/c) = yB/c
so
xB/c = cosh-1(yB/c)
xB yB
c
or,
xB = c cosh-1(yB/c) (8)
x
5 The distance, c, can be calculated from Eq. 2:
yB2 sB2 = c2 (Eq. 2 evaluated at point B) sB (50 m)/2 25 m
or, A y B
(50.97 m)2 (25 m)2 = c2
The solution is
c = 44.42 m
yB 50.97 m
The negative root has no physical meaning. c
Substituting c = 44.42 m and yB = 50.97 m in Eq. 8

gives
xB = c cosh-1(yB/c) (Eq. 8 repeated)

x
-1
= (44.42 m) cosh (50.97 m/44.42 m)
= 23.836 m
So the distance between supports, 2xB, is known:
2xB = 2(23.836 m)
= 47.7 m Ans.
6 Since c and yB are known, the sag h can be computed:
h = yB c
= (50.97 m) (44.42 m)
= 6.55 m Ans.
A y B
Sag h
yB 50.97 m
c 44.42 m
x
5. The cable is attached to a fixed support at A and a
moveable support at B. If the cable is 80-ft long, weighs
0.3 lb/ft, and spans 50 ft, determine the force F holding
the moveable support in place. Also determine the sag.
A B F (force)
y2 s2 = c2 (2)
W = ws (3)
To = wc (5)
y
T tension
T = wy (6)
in cable
component
and
c
the cable.

right.
2 The force F acting on the moveable support at B equals the
horizontal component, T , of tension in the cable, F = T .
Eq. 5 can be used to calculate T , provided that we can
determine the distance, c:
y
T = wc (Eq. 5 repeated)
Given
A B
= (0.3 lb/ft)c (7)
sB (80 ft)/2 40 ft
The distance, c, can be calculated from Eq. 1:

c
or, x
40 ft = c sinh (25 ft/c) (8) xB (50 ft)/2
This equation must be solved numerically. An initial 50 ft 25 ft

estimate for c could be c = xB = 25 m, when finding c with
the use of the solver on a calculator. The solution to Eq. 8 is
c = 14.229 ft
The negative root has no physical meaning.

3 Using c = 14.229 ft in Eq. 7 gives
T = (0.3 lb/ft)c (Eq. 7 repeated)
= (0.3 lb/ft)(14.229 ft)
= 4.27 lb
Since F = T , we have
F = 4.27 lb Ans.
The sag, h, can be calculated from Eq. 4 and the known y xB 25 ft

value of c:
A B
h = yB c
By Eq. 4 Sag h
yB
= c cosh (xB/c) c
c 14.229 ft
= (14.229 ft) cosh (25 ft/14.229 ft) 14.229 ft
x
= 28.2 ft Ans.
6. The cable is attached to a fixed support at
A and a moveable support B. If the cable is
40-m long and has a mass of 0.4 kg/m,
determine the span and sag.
A B
50 N
y2 s2 = c2 (2)
W = ws (3)
To = wc (5)
y
T tension
T = wy (6) in cable
component
and c
x
W = weight of length of cable from low
the cable.

right.
2 The span is 2xB. The coordinate, xB, can be found from
Eq. 1, provided that the distance c can be found:
This equation can be rewritten to give xB explicitly:
sinh (xB/c) = sB/c

2 xB
so (by symmetry)
A y B
xB/c = sinh-1 (sB/c)
or sB (40 m)/2 20 m
xB = c sinh-1 (sB/c)
xB
c
= c sinh-1 (20 m/c) (7)
x
3 Because the 50-N force acting on the moveable
support equals the horizontal component, T , of the
tension in the cable, Eq. 5 with T = 50 N can be used
to solve for c:
or
50 N = (0.4 kg/m)(9.81 m/s2) c
Solving gives
c = 12.742 m
Using this value of c in Eq. 7 gives
xB = c sinh-1 (20 m/c) (Eq. 7 repeated)
= (12.472 m) sinh-1 (20 m/12.472 m)
= 15.708 m
So the span is
Span = 2xB
= 2(15.708 m)
= 31.4 m Ans.
7. A cable goes over a frictionless pulley at B and
supports a block of mass m. The other end of the cable
is pulled by a horizontal force P. If the cable has a mass
per length of 0.3 kg/m, determine values of P and m that
will maintain the cable in the position shown.
5m
A
m
P (horizontal)
10 m
y2 s2 = c2 (2)
W = ws (3)
To = wc (5)
y
T tension
T = wy (6) in cable
component
and c
the cable.

right.
2 The force P equals T , the horizontal component of y
the cable tension given by Eq. 5:
xB = 10 m
T = wc (Eq. 5 repeated) B
so, with T = P
5m
P = wc (7)
Here, A
yB
2 P
w = (0.3 kg/m)(9.81 m/s )
= 2.943 N/m (8) c
The value of c in Eq. 7 can be found from Eq. 4:

x
yB = c cosh (xB/c) (Eq. 4 repeated)
or,
3 Using this value of c in Eq. 7 gives
5 m + c = c cosh (10 m/c)
P = wc (Eq. 7 repeated)
Solving numerically gives
by Eq. 8
c = 10.743 m
= (2.943 N/m)(10.743 m)
= 31.617 N Ans.
4 The cable tension at B must equal the weight, mg: Pulley B
TB = mg
TB
Thus the mass is
m = TB/g
mg
by Eq. 6
TB mg
y
= wyB/g B
by Eq. 8
= (2.943 N/m)(5 m + 10.743 m) /9.81 N/m2 5m
= 4.72 kg Ans. P A
yB
c 10.743 m
x
8. A chain makes angles of 30 and 60 at its
supports as shown. Determine the location of the
low point C of the chain relative to A. Also
determine the tension at support A, if the cable has
a mass per length of 0.6 kg/m.
Supports A and B 60
are at different
elevation. B
30
A
C
20 m
y2 s2 = c2 (2)
W = ws (3)
To = wc (5)
y
T tension
T = wy (6)
in cable
component
and
c
the cable.

right.
2 The geometric data are shown in the figure. To y 60
determine the location of the low point C relative to A, B (xB, yB)
we need to determine the coordinates xA and yA. We
can get an equation for xA by using the fact that the
slope is known at A: 30
dy A (xA, yA)
tan 30 = C
dx A
by Eq. 4 c
d
= dx c cosh (x/c)
A
x
= sinh (xA/c)
20 m
Solving for xA gives A dx
30 dy (Slope is negative)
xA = c sinh-1( tan 30) (7)
Similarly at point B, we have
xB = c sinh-1(tan 60) (8)

3 The coordinates xA and xB are related to the 20-m span y
through the equation 60
B (xB, yB)
xB xA = 20 m
or, 30
A (xA, yA)
C
by Eq. 8 by Eq. 7
c sinh-1(tan 60) c sinh-1( tan 30) = 20 c
Since this equation is linear in c, it is easily solved to

give c = 10.717 m. Eq. 7 then gives x
xA = c sinh-1( tan 30) (Eq. 7 repeated)

20 m
= (10.717 m) sinh-1( tan 30)
= 5.887 m Ans.
The y coordinate of point A can now be calculated from

Eq. 4:
yA = c cosh (xA/c) (Eq. 4 evaluated at point A)
= (10.717 m) cosh ( 5.887 m/10.717 m)
= 12.375 m (9)
4 The vertical distance between support A and the low
point C is given by y
5.887 m B
d = yA c
by Eq. 9 d
A
= 12.375 m 10.717 m C
= 1.658 m Ans.
yA c = 10.717 m
The tension at A is given by Eq. 6:
TA = wyA (Eq. 6 evaluated at point A) x
(w given) by Eq. 9
= (0.6 kg/m)(9.81 m/s2) (12.375 m)
= 72.8 N Ans.
9. A wire weighing 0.2 lb/ft is attached to a moveable
support at A and makes an angle of 55 at a fixed
support at B. Supports A and B are at different
elevations. Determine the location of the low point C
of the wire relative to support B. Also, determine the
tension in the wire at C.
A
8 lb
B 55
C
y2 s2 = c2 (2)
W = ws (3)
To = wc (5)
y
T tension
T = wy (6)
in cable
where (x, y) To horizontal
s
component
and
c
the cable.

right.
2 To determine the location of the low point, C, relative to y
the support at B, we need to determine the coordinates xB A
and yB. We can get an equation for xB by using the fact
that the slope is known at B:
dy 55
tan 55 = 55 dy B (xB, yB)
dx B
B
by Eq. 4 dx
d C
= dx c cosh (x/c)
B c
= sinh (xB/c) x
Thus
xB = c sinh-1( tan 55) (7)
The value of c occurring in Eq. 7 can be found by A

observing that the 8-lb force acting at support A equals T , To 8 lb
the horizontal component of tension at A, so Eq. 5 gives
B
w 0.2 lb/ft
8 lb 0.2 lb/ft
Solving gives C
c = 40 ft (8)
3 Using this result, c = 40 ft, in Eq. 7 gives y
A
xB = c sinh-1(tan 55) (Eq. 7 repeated)
xB 46.169 ft
-1
= (40 ft) sinh (tan 55) B
= 46.169 ft Ans.
d
The vertical distance between B and C is
C yB
d = yB c
c = 40 ft
by Eq. 4 x
= c cosh (xB/c) c
= (40 ft) cosh (46.169 ft/40 ft) 40 ft
= 29.7 ft Ans.
Free body diagram of portion AC of cable
Since point C is the low point of the cable, the tension
there is horizontal and so must equal the horizontal A
component of tension at A which is known to be 8 lb.
8 lb
That is,
Weight of portion
TC = 8 lb Ans. AC of cable
Vertical force
acting on support TC
C
10. Determine the location of the low point C relative to
the support at A. Also determine the tension at C, if the
mass of the cable per unit length is 1 kg/m.
A
2m
B
1m
C
10 m
y2 s2 = c2 (2)
W = ws (3)
To = wc (5)
y
T tension
T = wy (6)
in cable
component
and
c
the cable.

right.
2 The geometric data are shown in the figure. A(xA, yA) y
To locate the low point, C, relative to support A, we
must determine the coordinate xA. We know that xA is B(xB, yB)
related to yA through Eq. 4: 2m+1m 3m
C 1m
yA = c cosh (xA/c) (Eq. 4 evaluated at point A)
And this can be solved for xA to give

c
-1
xA = c cosh (yA/c) (7)
The minus sign must be inserted here to make xA x

negative because we will consider "cosh-1 " to be the
principal value of the inverse cosh function, and the 10 m
principal value is always positive.
cosh u cosh-1 v
(principal value)
1 Branch of cosh function

corresponding to the
principal value of the inverse
function
u v
1
Note that cosh-1 v is not defined for v < 1
3 An equation analogous to Eq. 7 can be written for point B:
xB = c cosh-1(yB/c) (8)
Here no minus sign has to be inserted, because xB is positive. A y
The figure shows that 3m B

C 1m
xB xA = 10 m
By Eq. 8 By Eq. 7 yA
yB
-1 -1 c
c cosh (yB/c) c cosh (yA/c) = 10 m
or
1m+c x
c cosh-1( )
c
10 m
+ c cosh-1( 3 mc + c ) 10 m = 0 (9)
This equation must be solved numerically for c. It can be difficult to

solve with the solver on a calculator because the cosh-1 (u) function is
undefined for u 1, and, as a result, the solver may fail if, during the
solution procedure, an attempt is made to evaluate cosh-1 (u) for u 1.
4 One approach to finding the solution of Eq. 9 is to define
the left-hand side of the equation as a function,
1+z
f(z) z cosh-1 ( z ) + z cosh-1 ( 3 +z z ) 10
And then use the calculator to plot f(z) versus z. The point
z = zr where the f(z) curve crosses the z axis is the
approximate root of Eq. 9, that is, where f(zr) = 0.
Another approach to finding the solution of Eq. 9 is simply

to experiment with initial estimates for c while using the
solver on a calculator. For example, since the span was
given as 10 m, we might try c = 10 m, 50 m, 100 m as
successive initial estimates.
The solution to Eq. 9 is

A y
c = 7.044 m
Eq. 7 then gives 3m B

C
xA = c cosh (yA/c) (Eq. 7 repeated)
yA
= c cosh ( 3 + c )
c c = 7.044 m
= (7.044 m) cosh ( 3 + 7.044 m )
7.044 m
= 15.5 m Ans. x
5 At the low point of the cable, the tension is horizontal, so A y
it can be calculated from Eq. 5:
B
To = wc (Eq. 5 repeated)
C To
Given
= [(1 kg/m)(9.81 m/s2)](7.044 m)

c 7.044 m
= 69.1 N Ans.
x

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6.

s = c sinh (x/c) (1)

y = c cosh (x/c) (4)

Other quantities are defined in the figure to the

xB (120 m)/2 (h + c)2 (70 m)2 = c2 (7)

sB = c sinh (xB/c) (Eq. 1 evaluated at point B)

120 m 70 m = c sinh (60 m/c) (8)

This equation must be solved numerically for c. An initial

The solution to Eq. 8 is

Another possible solution is c = 61.45 m, but this has no

(h + 61.45 m)2 (70 m)2 = (61.45 m)2 Tension T

5 The maximum tension can be calculated from Eq. 6:

Tmax = wyB (Eq. 6 evaluated at point B)

= (3 kg/m)(9.81 m/s2) (31.70 m + 61.45 m)

s = c sinh (x/c) (1)

y = c cosh (x/c) (4)

Other quantities are defined in the figure to the

sB = c sinh (xB/c) (Eq. 1 evaluated at point B) or,

= c sinh (200 ft/c) (7) c + 40 ft = c cosh (200 ft/c) (8)

This equation must be solved numerically. An initial

Using this value of c in Eq. 7 gives

sB = c sinh (200 ft/c) (Eq. 7 repeated)

= (506.53 ft) sinh (200 ft/506.53 ft)

By symmetry, the total length of cable is twice sB:

Because the tension at the low point of the cable is

s = c sinh (x/c) (1)

y = c cosh (x/c) (4)

Other quantities are defined in the figure to the

xB = c sinh-1(10 m/c) (Eq. 7 repeated)

= (5.333 m) sinh-1(10 m/5.333 m)

Thus the distance between supports, 2xB, can be found:

(45 kg)(9.81 m/s2) c 5.333 m

Supports A and B are at the same elevation.

s = c sinh (x/c) (1)

y = c cosh (x/c) (4)

Other quantities are defined in the figure to the

Since Tmax occurs where the curve has its steepest

Tmax = wyB (Eq. 6 evaluated at point B)

yB = c cosh (xB/c) (Eq. 4 evaluated at point B)

yB2 sB2 = c2 (Eq. 2 evaluated at point B) sB (50 m)/2 25 m

Substituting c = 44.42 m and yB = 50.97 m in Eq. 8

xB = c cosh-1(yB/c) (Eq. 8 repeated)

So the distance between supports, 2xB, is known:

s = c sinh (x/c) (1)

y = c cosh (x/c) (4)

Other quantities are defined in the figure to the

sB = c sinh (xB/c) (Eq. 1 evaluated at point B)

40 ft = c sinh (25 ft/c) (8) xB (50 ft)/2

This equation must be solved numerically. An initial 50 ft 25 ft

The negative root has no physical meaning.

T = (0.3 lb/ft)c (Eq. 7 repeated)

= (0.3 lb/ft)(14.229 ft)

The sag, h, can be calculated from Eq. 4 and the known y xB 25 ft

s = c sinh (x/c) (1)

y = c cosh (x/c) (4)

Other quantities are defined in the figure to the

sB = c sinh (xB/c) (Eq. 1 evaluated at point B)

This equation can be rewritten to give xB explicitly:

sinh (xB/c) = sB/c

50 N = (0.4 kg/m)(9.81 m/s2) c

Using this value of c in Eq. 7 gives

xB = c sinh-1 (20 m/c) (Eq. 7 repeated)