CABLES &

ARCHES
CHAPTER 5
CE131P
STRUCTURAL THEORY 1 (PAIRED)
ENGR. NESLYN E. LOPEZ

Makkah Clock Royal Tower Hotel, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, height 601 meters
CABLES
CABLES
 engineering structures for support and to
transmit loads from one member to another

 cables form the main load-carrying element

in the structure when used to support
suspension roofs, bridges, and trolley wheels
CABLES
 Assumptions: cable is perfectly:
➢ Flexibility: cable offers no resistance to shear or
bending
➢ Inextensible: constant length both before and
after the load is applied
➢ Considered as rigid body
CABLES
 the weight of the cable itself may be
neglected

 The weight of the cable is considered when

cables are used as guys for radio antennas,
electrical transmission lines, and derricks
Cable Subjected to
Concentrated Loads
Typical problem solving for cables subjected to
concentrated loads are the ff:
1. Calculate the sag at C (yc)
2. Tension in each cables (TBD, TCD and TAC)

We can use the concept of

method of section and method
of joints from lecture about
TRUSS.
 PROBLEM 1
Determine the tension in
each segment of the cable
shown.

Also, what is the dimension

h?
 A
A

A
A

1. Consider sec A-A on solving the tension at CD (TCD) and apply

method of section.
2. We can sum moment about point A to solve TCD; and all
reactions acting at point A will have zero moment arm.
A

A x-component of TCD

y-component of TCD
• On solving the rest of the
tensions, we can use the method
of joints.

• Consider joint C. It includes the

TCD = 6.79 KN, 8 KN load and TBC.

• Write the equations from

summing forces along x and y. It
results to two unknowns, the θBC
and TBC.
• You may express TBC as a function of θBC.
3
6.79( )
• In equation of summation of forces along x: 𝑇𝐵𝐶 = 5
𝐶𝑂𝑆𝜃𝐵𝐶

• Substitute TBC to equation of summation of forces along y in

3
4 6.79 5
order to calculate θBC: 6.79 −8+ ( ) sin 𝜃𝐵𝐶 =0
5 cos 𝜃𝐵𝐶
 • Consider joint B. It includes the TBC
= 4.82 KN, 3 KN load and TAB.

• Write the equations from summing

= 𝜽𝑩𝑪 forces along x and y. It results to
two unknowns, the θAB and TAB.

4.82 cos 32.3°

• In equation of summation of forces along x: 𝑇𝐴𝐵 = 𝐶𝑂𝑆𝜃𝐴𝐵

• Substitute TBC to equation of summation of forces along y in order

4.82 cos 32.3°
to calculate θBC: 𝐶𝑂𝑆𝜃 sin 𝜃𝐴𝐵 − 4.82 sin 32.3° − 3 = 0
𝐴𝐵
 ℎ
tan 53.8 =
2
ARCHES
ARCHES
 Parabolic shape

 Uniform horizontally distributed vertical load

 Only compressive forces will be resisted

 Funicular arch - no bending or shear forces

occur within the arch
Three-Hinged Arch
Three-Hinged Arch
Three-Hinged Arch
Three-Hinged Arch
PROBLEM 2
The three-hinged tied arch is subjected to the loading
shown. Determine the force in members CH and CB. The
dashed member GF of the truss is intended to carry no force.
A
SOLUTION:

1. Solve the reactions.

A
A 2. Solve AE considering sec
= 𝑮𝑭 A-A. Note: GF will carry no
force as stated in the
problem.

A
A
= 𝑮𝑭
3. Solve the Cx and Cy
considering sec A-A.

A
4. Solve bar force member GC using method of joints.

𝟎= = 𝑮𝑭
5. Finally, solve bar force member CB
and CH using method of joints at joint C.

Solve the equations simultaneously.

10
1
3
PROBLEM 3
The three-hinged trussed arch shown in Fig. 5–12a
supports the symmetric loading. Determine the
required height, h1, of the joints B and D, so that the
arch takes a funicular shape. Member HG is intended
to carry no force.
ARCH:
• Parabolic shape
• Funicular arch - no bending or shear forces occur within the arch
• Use parabola equation to
solve h1.

• It is important to
determine the origin of
the parabola which has a
coordinate of (0,0)

• Then determine the points

which has known
coordinate:
pt A: (-6, -4.5)
pt E: (6, -4.5)
 pt C: (0, 0)
pt A: (-6, -4.5)
pt E: (6, -4.5)
• 𝑦 = −𝑐𝑥 2
where c = constant y y
• Solve the constant using
any known coordinates:
say pt A: −4.5 = −𝑐(−62 )
c = 0.125 per meter

• Coordinates at:
pt B: (-3, -y)
pt D: (3, -y)
Note: in coordinate system: all is measured
from the origin. So h1 = 4.5 – y.
 pt C: (0, 0)
pt B: (-3, -y)
pt D: (3, -y)
• 𝑦 = −𝑐𝑥 2
y y
• Use either coordinates at
pt B or pt D to solve y:
say pt B: −𝑦 = −0.125(−32 )
y = 1.125 m

• h1 = 4.5 – y
h1 = 4.5 m – 1.125 m

h1 = 3.375 m
END ☺
Next topic:
Influence lines
END ☺
Next topic:
Three-Hinged Arch