Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

Module 5 Title: Cables and Arches

Module Introduction/Rationale:

In this module, we will discuss the types of cables – parabolic cable and catenary cable as well as
cables subjected to concentrated loads. Also in this module we will discuss on how to solve the reactions
of a three-hinged arc.

Module Outcomes:
CO2: Apply the principles of static equilibrium from the knowledge of resultants.
CO3: Relate the course to other engineering situations that involve the concepts of forces and
moments of forces.

Lesson 1 Title: Cables and Arches

Lesson Outcomes:
At the end of this topic the learner should be able to:
1. identify the two types of cables
2. analyze a cable subjected to distributed forces and concentrated loads
3. analyze a three-hinged arc.

CABLES

Flexible cables are used in numerous engineering applications. Common examples are power
transmission lines and suspension bridges. The term flexible means that the cables are incapable of
developing internal forces other than tensions.

Parabolic Cable

When a flexible cable is suspended between two points of support and is subjected to a
distributed loading along the horizontal.

a. Level Support
L L
2 2

A B

d
O

W = uniform load

Where: A and B = supports of the cable

L = horizontal distance between two supports
d = sag
O = the lowest point in the cable

1
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

L
2
T

θ
wL B ΣMB = 0
2 L  L 
d 0 = Hd – w    
2 4
O
H
WL2
W H=
8d

T = tension at the support

H = force at the lowest point

2
2 2  WL 
T =H +  
 2 
T
WL
2  WL 
2
θ T = TA = TB H2   
 2 
H

Length of Cable

8d2 32d 4
S=L+ –
3L 5L3

b. Supports at Different Levels

X1 X2

d1 B

d2
O

W = uniform load

2
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

X2
TB ΣMB = 0
X 
θ 0 = Hd2 – w X 2   2 
B  2 
WX 2
d2 WX 2 2
O H=
H 2d2
W
2 2
TB = H + WX 2 2
T = tension at the support
H = force at the lowest point TB = H2  WX 2 2

TA = H2  WX1 2
Catenary Cable

When a flexible cable is suspended between two points of support and is subjected to a
distributed loading along the length of the cable.

a. Level Support

X1 X2

A B

SA SB
O

W = uniform load

TB T = Wy TA = way TB = WyB

θ H = Wc
WSB B
2 2 2
T = (Ws) + H
SB
O 2
(Wy) = (Ws) + (Wc)
2 2
H
W
Y 2 2 2 2 2 2
y =s +c yA = sA + c
C
X = c ln
s  y  X1 = c ln
s A  y A 
c c

H = force at the lowest point Length of Cable

T = tension at the support S = SA + SB = 2S

3
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

b. Supports at Different Levels

2 2 2
yA = sA + c
X1 X2
 S  YA 
A X1 = c ln  A 
 C 

S Y 
X2 = c ln  B B 
 C 
B

Length of Cable
SA
YA SB
O S = SA + SB
YB
Span = L = X1 +X2
W = uniform load
C TA = way
TB = WyB

ARCHES

Arches are structures composed of curvilinear members resting on supports. They are used for
large-span structures.

Types of Arches
1. Two-hinged Arch
2. Three-hinged Arch
3. Fixed Arch

Three-hinged arch is a geometrically stable and statically determinate structure. It consist of two
curved members connected by an internal hinged at the crown and is supported by two hinges at its base.

4
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

Sample Problems:
1. A parabolic cable is suspended at point on the same level 12.0 meters apart and its lowest point is 3.0
meters below the level of support. If the load is 2 KN/m, determine the tension at the support and at
the lowest point.

6.0 m 6.0 m

A B

d = 3.0 m
O

2 KN/m

Solution:
2
 WL 
WL2 T = H2   
H=  2 
8d

2
2(12)2  2(12) 
H= T= (12)2   
8(3)  2 

H = 12.00 KN answer T = TA = TB = 16.97 KN answer

2. A parabolic cable has a load of 4 KN/m. It is hung from support with a difference in elevation of 15.0
meters. If the span is 135.0 meters and the sag from the lower support is 18.0 meters, determine the
tension in each support.

135.0 m

X1 X2 = 135 – X1
A

15.0 m
B
33.0 m
18.0 m
O

4 KN/m

5
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

Solution:

WX 1 2 WX 2 2
H= H=
2d1 2d2

4X 1 2 2X 1 2 4135  X 1 2 135  X 1 2

H= = -------- equation 1 H= = -------- equation 2
2(33) 33 2(18) 9

Equate 1 = 2

2X 1 2 135  X 1 2
=
33 9

18 X 1 2 = 33 135  X 1 2

2 33
X1 = 135  X 1 2
18

33
X 12 = 135  X 1 2
18

33
X1 = (135 – X1)
18

33
X1 = 182.79 – X1
18

X1 = 77.65 m X2 = 135 – 77.65 = 57.35 m

WX 1 2 WX 2 2
H= H=
2d1 2d2
2
4(77.65) 4(57.35)2
H= H=
2(33) 2(18)

H = 365.43 KN H = 365.45 KN

2 2
TA = H2  WX 1 2 TB = H + WX 2 2

TA = (365.43)2  4(77.65)2 TB = (365.45)2  4(57.35)2

TA = 479.60 KN answer TB = 431.48 KN answer

6
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

3. Compute the span and the sag of the catenary cable 600 ft long weighing 2 lb/ft and supported at
points on the same level with a maximum tension of 800 lbs.

X1 X2

A B

SA d SB
O
YA YB

2 lb/ft C

Solution:

T = TA = TB = 800 lbs

600
SA =SB = = 300 ft
2

W = 2 lb/ft

T = Wy

800 = 2 (y)

y = yA = yB = 400 ft
2 2 2
yA = sA + c
2 2 2
400 = 300 + C

C = 264.58 ft

Span = X1 + X2 = 2 X1

 S  YA   300  400 
X1 = X2 = c ln  A  = 264.58 ln   = 257.42 ft
 C   264.58 

Span = 2(257.42) = 514.84 ft answer

Sag = d = yA – C = 400 – 264.58 = 135.42 ft answer

7
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

4. A catenary cable weighing 6 KN/m is suspended between points 800 meters apart on the same level. If
the sag is 200 meters, determine the tension at the support and the length of the cable.

X1 = 400 m X2 = 400 m

A B

d = 200 m S
SA B
O
YA YB

6 KN/m C

Solution:
2 2 2
yA = SA + C ----------- equation 1

from the diagram, d = yA – C

200 = yA – C

yA = 200 + C ------------ equation 2

Substitute equation 2 in equation 1

2 2 2
(200 + C) = SA + C

SA2 = (200 + C)2 – C2

2 2 2 TA + TB = T = WyA
SA = 40,000 + 400 C + C – C
T = WyA = 6(629.73) = 3778.38 KN answer
SA = 40,000  400C

 S  YA  Length of the Cable

X1 = C ln  A 
 C 
S = SA + SB
 40000  400C  (200  C) 
400 = C ln  
 C 
  From equation 1
2 2 2
Using calculator yA = SA + C
2 2 2
C = 429.73 m (629.73) = SA + (429.73)

In equation 2 SA = SB = 460.32 m

yA = 200 + C = 200 + 429.73 = 629.73 m S = 2(460.32) = 920.63 m answer

8
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

5. A catenary cable 300 meters long weighs 2 KN/m. The tensions at the ends of the cable are 446 KN and
400 KN. Determine the difference in elevation of the two ends, the difference in elevation between the
lowest point and the lower support, and the span of the cable.

TA = 446 KN
X1 X2
TB = 400 KN
A
ΔY
B
SA dB SB
O
YA
YB
2 KN/m
C

Solution:

TA = WyA TB = WyB
In equation 2
446 = 2 (yA) 400 = 2 (yB) 2 2 2
C = 200 – SB
yA = 223 m yB = 200 m 2 2 2
C = 200 – (133.79)
Difference in elevation of the two ends, Δy
C = 148.66 m
Δy = 223 – 200 = 23 m answer
Difference between the lowest point and the
Length of the cable lower support, dB

300 = SA + SB SA = 300 – SB dB = yB – C = 200 – 148.66

2 2
yA = SA + C
2 2
yB = SB + C
2 2 dB = 51.34 m answer

2 2 2 2 2 2
223 = SA + C 200 = SB + C  S  YA 
X1 = C ln  A 
 C 
2232 = (300 – SB)2 +C2 C2 = 2002 – SB2 ------ eq 2  166.21  223 
X1 = 148.66 ln  
2 2 2  148.66 
C = 223 – (300 – SB) ------- eq 1
X1 = 143.08 m
Equate 1 = 2
 S  YB 
X2 = C ln  B 
2 2
223 – (300 – SB) = 200 – SB
2 2
 C 
 133.79  200 
2 2 X2 = 148.66 ln  
49729 – 90000 + 600 SB – SB = 40000 – SB  148.66 
X2 = 120.24 m
600 SB = 80271
Span = L = 143.08 + 120.24
SB = 133.79 m Span = L = 263.32 answer
SA = 300 – 133.79 = 166.21 m

9
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

6. A cable is subjected to concentrated loads as shown in the figure. Determine the force in member BC,
the value of θ1, and the total length of the cable.

6m 11 m 7m

A θ1
6m
D
B
θ2
0
C 35
16 KN
6m 11 m 7m
20 KN
Solution: 0
A θ1 TCD sin 35
ΣMA = 0 6m
B D TCD cos 35
0
0 0
0 = 16 (6) + 20 (17) – TCDsin 35 (24) – TCDcos 35 (6) θ2
0
C 35
0 = 436 – TCD (18.68)
16 KN
TCD = 23.34 KN
20 KN

At joint C

ΣFX = 0 BC CD
0 0
CD cos 35 = BC cos θ2 θ2 C 35
0
23.34 cos 35 = BC cos θ2
19.12
BC = -------- equation 1
cos  2 20 KN
ΣFY = 0
0
CD sin 35 + BC sin θ2 = 20
0
23.34 sin 35 + BC sin θ2 = 20
13.39 + BC sin θ2 = 20
6.61
BC = -------- equation 2
sin 2

Equate 1 = 2

19.12 6.61
=
cos  2 sin 2
sin 2 6.61 6.61
 tan θ2 =
cos 2 19.12 19.12

–1 6.61 0
θ2= tan = 19.07
19.12

In equation 1, BC = 20.23 KN answer

10
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

At joint B

ΣFX = 0 AB
0
BC cos 19.07 = AB cos θ1
0 θ1
20.23 cos 19.07 = AB cos θ1 B
0
19.12 θ2 = 19.07
AB = -------- equation 3
cos 1 BC = 20.23 KN
ΣFY = 0 16 KN
0
AB sin θ1 = 16 + BC sin 19.07
0
AB sin θ1 = 16 + 20.23 sin 19.07
22.61
AB = -------- equation 4
sin 1

Equate 3 = 4

19.12 22.61
=
cos 1 sin 1
sin 1 22.61 22.61
 tan θ1 =
cos 1 19.12 19.12

–1 22.61 0
θ1= tan = 49.78 answer
19.12
6m
A
0
Total Length of the Cable θ1 = 49.78

6m 11m 7m
L=  
cos 49.78 0 cos 19.07 0 cos 350 B D

L = 29.48 m answer 0
θ2 = 19.07 C 350
11 m 7m

11
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

7. Determine the reactions at the supports for the three-hinged arch shown in the figure.

25 KN/m 25 KN/m

5m 5m 5m 5m
B B
6m 6m
8m 8m
80 KN 80 KN

6m C 6m C
CH

A A CV
AH

AV
Solution:

From FBD of frame ABC:

25 KN/m
Take a moment at point C
ΣMC = 0 B
0 = AV (10 m) – AH (4 m) + (80 KN) (2 m) – (25 KN/m) (10 m) (5 m) 5m
0 = AV (10 m) – AH (4 m) – 1090 6m
1090  4 AH
AV = ----------- equation 1 80 KN
10

From FBD of frame AB:

6m
Take a moment at point B
ΣMB = 0
0 = AV (5 m) – AH (12 m) – (80 KN) (6 m) – (25 KN/m) (5 m) (2.5 m) A
AH
0 = AV (5 m) – AH (12 m) – 792.50
12A H  792.50
AV = ----------- equation 2 AV
5

Equate 1 = 2

1090  4 AH 12A H  792.50

=
10 5
5450 + 20 AH = 120 AH + 7925

100 AH = – 2475
AH = – 24.75 KN answer
AH = 24.75 KN (to left direction) answer

In equation 1
1090  4(24.75)
AV =
10
AV = 99.10 KN answer

12
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

From FBD of frame ABC: 25 KN/m

Take a moment at point A

5m 5m
ΣMA = 0
B
0 = (80 KN) (6 m) + (25 KN/m) (10 m) (5 m) – CV (10 m) – CH (4 m) 6m
0 = 1730 – CV (10 m) – CH (4 m) 8m
1730  4C H 80 KN
CV = ----------- equation 3
10
6m C
From FBD of frame BC: CH

Take a moment at point B

ΣMB = 0 A CV
AH
0 = CH (8 m) – CV (5 m) + (25 KN/m) (5 m) (2.5 m)
0 = CH (8 m) – CV (5 m) + 312.50
8C H  312.50 AV
CV = ----------- equation 4
5

Equate 3 = 4
25 KN/m
1730  4CH 8C H  312.50
=
10 5 B 5m
8650 – 20 CH = 80 CH + 3125
8m
100 CH = 5525
CH = 55.25 KN answer

In equation 3 C
1730  4(55.25) CH
CV =
10
CV = 150.90 KN answer
CV

25 KN/m
Check the answer using FBD of frame ABC:

Use ΣFy = 0 Up = Down 5m 5m

AV + CV = (25 KN/m) (10 m) B
6m
99.10 + 150.90 = 250
8m
250 = 250 OK 80 KN

ΣFx = 0 Right = Left

80 KN = AH + CH 6m C
80 = 24.75 + 55.25
80 = 80 OK CH = 55.25 KN
A CV = 150.90 KN
AH = 24.75 KN
AV = 99.10 KN

13
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

Problem Set – Module 5

1. A parabolic cable 200 meters span has a rise of 5.0 meters from the lowest point to one end and 10.0
meters at the other end. If the maximum tension in the cable is 10,000 N, determine the load that can
be supported by the cable.

2. A parabolic cable carries a load of 40 lb/ft. It is hung from a support with difference in elevation of 50 ft.
If the span is 450 ft and the sag from the lower support to the lowest point is 60 ft, determine the
tension in each support.

3. A parabolic cable supported at both ends with the same elevation has a span of 400 ft and sag of 50 ft
carries a uniformly distributed load of 1000 lb/ft. Determine the tension and the length of the cable.

4. Determine the maximum spacing of poles to carry a wire weighing 0.05 lb/ft along the horizontal if the
allowable tension in the wire is 300 lbs and the allowable sag is 2 feet. Assume that the two supports
are on the same elevation.

5. If the wire weighing 0.10 lb/ft along the horizontal is stretched between points 100 ft apart with the
same elevation until the tension reaches 600 lb, compute the resulting sag.

6. A parabolic cable of a suspension bridge has a span of 800 meters and a sag of 100 meters. If the
maximum tension is 4500 KN, determine the allowable load that can be distributed uniformly along the
horizontal. Assume that the two supports are on the same elevation.

7. A catenary cable weighing 3 lb/ft is to be suspended between two supports on the same level and
722.26 ft apart. If the maximum tension in the cable is 1800 lbs, determine the minimum sag to which
the cable may be drawn up, and the length of the cable.

8. A light catenary cable carries a weight of 0.117 KN/m. The cable is supported between two points on
the same level 300 meters apart and has a sag of 60 meters. Determine the tension at the lowest point
of the cable, the maximum tension, and the length of the cable.

9. A 90 meters catenary cable is suspended from two points at the same elevation that are 60 meters
apart. If the maximum tension of the cable is 300 N, determine the sag of the cable, the weight that the
cable could carry, and the tension at the lowest point of the cable.

10. A catenary cable weighing 15 N/m is suspended from two points A and B with a difference in elevation
of 3 meters. The maximum force in the cable is 500 N and the sag from the higher support is 8.0
meters. Determine the tension at the lower support, the horizontal distance between A and B, and the
length of the cable.

11. The 36-meter catenary cable weighs 1.50 KN/m and supported between two points on the same level
30 meters apart. Determine the sag and the maximum tension in the cable.

12. The string attached to the kite weighs 1 N/m along its entire length. If the tension in the string is 14 N
at the lowest point and 16 N at the highest point, determine the length of the string and the height of
the kite.

14
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

13. A cable is subjected to concentrated loads as shown in the figure. Determine the force in member CD,
the value of θ2, and the force in member AB.

2m 2m 1.5 m

2m

D
θ1 B
2m

3 KN θ2 C

8 KN

14. A cable is subjected to concentrated loads as shown in the figure. Determine the value of θ1 and θ2
and the force in each cable segment.

6m 8m 12 m

0
A 40

10 m
B
θ1
C D
1.2 KN θ2

4.8 KN

15. The cable carrying 200-N loads at B and C is held in the position shown by the horizontal force P =
300N applied at A. Determine the h and the forces in segments BC and CD.

6m
h
C θ2
6m
A B θ1
P
200 N
200 N

15
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

16. The cable ABCD is held in the position shown by the horizontal force P. Determine the value of P, h,
and the forces in segments BC and CD of the cable.

6m 4m

6m
h

C
A
P
B
40 N
40 N

17. Determine the reactions at the supports for the three-hinged arch shown in the figure.

50 KN
20 KN/m

B
7m
10 m
A

4 @ 5 m = 20 m

18. Determine the reactions at the supports for the three-hinged arch shown in the figure.

100 KN 60 KN

2m B 120 KN

2m
A C

4 @ 3 m = 12 m

16
 Notes in Statics of Rigid Bodies

19. Determine the reactions at the supports for the three-hinged arch shown in the figure.

80 KN 120 KN

2m B
A 80 KN

2m
C

4 @ 3 m = 12 m

20. Determine the reactions at the supports for the three-hinged arch shown in the figure.

50 KN 140 KN

100 KN B

7m

A C

2m 3m 3m 3m 3m 2m

17