The Catenary Curve Introduction

Deriving the Catenary . . .

Kirk Gordon, Torey Seward Deriving and Solving an . . .

Comparing the Two . . .
6th of May, 2011 Applications Outside of . . .
Conclusion
Appendix

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 Abstract
The catenary curve is applicable to many everyday problems such as kiln construction
and minimization of surface areas, and is even seen in the St Louis Arch. A differen-
tial equation modeling a hanging chain of either uniform or variable density will procure
Introduction
the catenary curve. This is important in its applications for architecture and and other
Deriving the Catenary . . .
problems.
Deriving and Solving an . . .
Comparing the Two . . .
Applications Outside of . . .
Conclusion
Appendix

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1. Introduction
If a chain, rope, or other string-like object of uniform density is hung between two parallel points
and allowed to reach static equilibrium it takes on a unique shape. The term used to describe
this shape is catenary, and deriving the catenary is a popular problem in the fields of physics, Introduction

math, and engineering. The catenary curve is a solution to a second order differential equation Deriving the Catenary . . .

that models the change in incline of the hanging chain with respect to its change in height. The Deriving and Solving an . . .
shape is seen in a variety of applications like architecture and marine anchoring. One variance Comparing the Two . . .
on the classic problem that is explored in this paper involves a chain of non-uniform mass Applications Outside of . . .
density. The solutions of both the classic catenary problem and varying mass density problem Conclusion
will be found the technique of separation of variables and then integration. Matlab will be used Appendix
to create plots of both solutions for comparison.
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2. Deriving the Catenary Curve from a Chain of Uniform
Mass Density
A chain is hung from two points which are at the same height and the chain carries no load Introduction
besides its own weight. The force of gravity will cause the chain to take on a shape that is Deriving the Catenary . . .
non-parabolic despite outward appearance. Deriving and Solving an . . .
Comparing the Two . . .
2.1. Setting up the Equation Applications Outside of . . .

• w = Weight per unit length Conclusion

Appendix
• T1 = The horizontal component of Tension
• s = Length of chain Home Page

The initial analysis using Newtonian physics gives equation (2.1)[1].

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ws
tan θ = (2.1)
T1 JJ II
If the shape of the hanging chain is treated as a function y(x) where y is the vertical distance
of the chain from the suspension points and x is the distance from the lowest point on the chain, J I
tan θ becomes y0 where y0 = dy/dx.
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ws
y0 =
T1
w Go Back
y0(x) = s(x)
T1
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Then s and y are divided into many tiny increments called d(y0) and ds. Close
w
d(y0) = ds (2.2)
T1 Quit
 From the picture below,
p
ds = (dx)2 + (y0 dx)2 (2.3)
where Introduction
dy = (.y0)dx Deriving the Catenary . . .
Deriving and Solving an . . .
Substituting (2.3) for ds in equation (2.2) gives,
Comparing the Two . . .
wp
d(y0) = 1 + (y0)2 dx (2.4) Applications Outside of . . .
T1 Conclusion
Using separation of variables, dx is ”divided” from both sides of the equation. Appendix

d(y0) wp
= 1 + (y0)2 Home Page
dx T1
wp Title Page
y00 = 1 + (y0)2 (2.5)
T1
Equation (2.5) is the second order ordinary differential equation which can be solved to find an JJ II
equation which models the shape of the hanging chain.
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2.2. Solving the Differential Equation of Constant Density
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Equation (2.5) can be solved using separation of variables, where the equation is rearranged so
that the y0 variable is on the same side as d(y0) and the remaining constants are on the same
side as dx. The equation is then integrated. Go Back

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d(y0) w
p = dx
1 + (y0)2 T1
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 Z Z
dy0 w
p = dx (2.6)
1+ (y0)2 T1
Matlab can be used to solve the integration on the left side of the equation. The solution Introduction
is an inverse hyperbolic sine function. The C on the right hand side represents an unknown Deriving the Catenary . . .
constant of integration. Deriving and Solving an . . .
w Comparing the Two . . .
sinh−1 (y0) = x+C (2.7)
T1 Applications Outside of . . .

x = 0 is the point at the bottom of the curve of the chain and since there is only a horizontal Conclusion

tension at this point, y0(0) = 0 (The chain is flat at the very bottom of its curve). Thus, the Appendix
constant of integration, C, is equal to zero. Furthermore, y prime can be isolated, giving the
following equation which can be integrated by separation of variables. Home Page

w Title Page
y0 = sinh ( x)
T1
dy w JJ II
= sinh ( x)
dx T1
Z Z
w J I
dy = sinh ( x)
T1
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This integration gives the equation for the shape of the hanging chain Go Back

T1 w
y(x) = cosh( x) + D Full Screen
w T1
y(0) = 0
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D=−
w Quit
 T1 w T1
y(x) = cosh ( x) − (2.8)
w T1 w

Introduction
Deriving the Catenary . . .
Deriving and Solving an . . .
Comparing the Two . . .
Applications Outside of . . .
Conclusion
Appendix

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3. Deriving and Solving an Equation for a Chain of Vary-
ing Mass Density
In the case of variable mass density, the initial analysis is similar, but the weight of the chain Introduction
varies with the mass per unit length. In this problem, the mass density of the chain increases Deriving the Catenary . . .
proportionally with the tangential tension of the chain. Equation (3.1) is the mass density of Deriving and Solving an . . .
the chain, δ, where c is a constant, W (x) is the one half the total weight of the chain below
Comparing the Two . . .
that point, and T is the tangential tension of the chain at that point x [2].
Applications Outside of . . .
p
δ = c W (x)2 + T 2 (3.1) Conclusion
Appendix

3.1. Constants and Symbols

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• W (x) = Weight of half the Chain Below Point x
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• δ = Mass density

• T (x) = Tension Tangential to the Chain at Point x JJ II

• c = Constant
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• g = Gravitational Constant
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3.2. Deriving an Equation for Varying Mass Density
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Weight equals mass times the gravitational constant g. The mass density, equation (3.1) is
multiplied by g to find the weight W equation.
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p
W 0 = g δ = g δ x 1 + (y0)2
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From Figure below, W (x) = T y0.
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 p
T y00 = g x δ 1 + (y0)2
p
And since δ = c W (x)2 + T 2 ,
p p Introduction
T y00 = g x c W (x)2 + T 2 1 + (y0)2 Deriving the Catenary . . .
Deriving and Solving an . . .
Substituting W (x) = T y0,
Comparing the Two . . .
p p Applications Outside of . . .
T y00 = g x c (T y0)2 + T 2 1 + (y0)2
Conclusion
p p
T y00 = g x c T 2 (y0)2 + T 2 1 + (y0)2 Appendix
p p
T y00 = g x c T (y0)2 + 1 1 + (y0)2 Home Page

T y00 = g x c T [(y0)2 + 1]
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y00 = g x c [(y0)2 + 1] (3.2)

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Equation (3.2) is a differential equation which relates the change in slope of the chain to
its change in height. The solution to this equation gives the shape of a chain of varying mass
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density.
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3.3. Solving the Differential Equation for a Chain of Varying Mass
Density Go Back
Equation (3.2) can be solved using the technique of separation of variables and then integrating.
Z Z Full Screen
d(y0)
= gc x dx
(y0)2 + 1
Close
−1
tan (y0) = gc x + C1
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The origin is in the middle of the chain at the height of the posts, above the point where the
chain is flat and the slope is zero. In other words y0(0) = 0, thus C1 = 0.

y0 = tan gc x (3.3)
Introduction
Equation (3.3) is integrated again to solve for y. Deriving the Catenary . . .
Z Z Deriving and Solving an . . .
dy = tan gc x Comparing the Two . . .
Applications Outside of . . .
1 Conclusion
y(x) = ln sec gc x + C2
gc Appendix

y(0) = 0, therefore C2 is also equal to zero.

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1
y(x) = ln (sec (gc x)) (3.4)
gc Title Page
Equation (3.4) is an equation modeling the shape of a chain of varying mass density. Unlike
the first solution, this is not a catenary curve because it is not a cosh function. JJ II

3.4. Graphing the Solution J I

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4. Applications Outside of Textbooks
4.1. Marine Anchoring
In this paper’s derivation of equation (2.5), Earth’s gravitational constant was used for g, but Introduction
it is not necessary to use this particular value. The solution can therefore be applicable to any Deriving the Catenary . . .
situation where there is a homogeneous fluid, such as air or water. In the case of water, a drag Deriving and Solving an . . .
constant can be substituted for g. This is seen in marine anchoring. Comparing the Two . . .
Applications Outside of . . .
4.2. Inverted Catenary Arch Conclusion
Appendix
An inverted catenary arch is used for some architectural and building purposes.

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4.3. The St. Louis Arch
The shape of the St. Louis Arch is a flattened version of a catenary curve, much like the solution Title Page
observed in equation (3.1).
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4.4. minimization of surface areas
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5. Conclusion
The graphical results of both solutions are very similar, even though the solution to the varying
mass density problem is quite a bit different from the catenary curve solution derived in section
two. The main difference in equation (3.3) is its more flattened appearance in comparison to Introduction

equation (2.8). The original problem for section three was to solve the equation for a chain of Deriving the Catenary . . .

linearly varying density, for example δ = m x + b where b and c are constants. This problem Deriving and Solving an . . .
proved to be very difficult, and unsolvable within the allotted time constraints. Both solutions Comparing the Two . . .
are applicable to ”real-world” situations. The inverted catenary curve serves as an arch in ar- Applications Outside of . . .
chitecture and the solution to section two is also inverted in the St. Louis arch. The parameters Conclusion
varying mass density of the problem in section three could be used in the production of cable Appendix
to solve
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6. Appendix
Plotting the Curve of a Chain of Uniform Mass Density
x=linspace(-2,2); a=0.9; y=a*cosh(1/a*x)-a; plot(x,y)
Plotting the Curve of a Chain of Variable Mass Density Introduction

a=19.6; x=linspace(-0.05,0.05); y=1/a*log(sec(a*x)); plot(x,y) Deriving the Catenary . . .

Deriving and Solving an . . .
Comparing the Two . . .
Applications Outside of . . .
Conclusion
Appendix

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References
[1] Simmons, George, and Steven Krantz. Differential Equations. New York: McGraw Hill,
2007.
Introduction
[2] Susanka, Larry.The Shape of a Hanging Rope. Bellevue College, Nov. 2005. Web. May 2011. Deriving the Catenary . . .
Deriving and Solving an . . .
Comparing the Two . . .
Applications Outside of . . .
Conclusion
Appendix

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