Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
(OP)
I am designing a double angle fence post member that has a tension cable attached to its top. See the attached document for a graphical representation. The tension cable spans the width of a pedestrian pathway and is attached to double angle fence posts on either side of the pathway. The cable is only for aesthetic purposes, and thusly will be loaded only by its self-weight and a design ice thickness of approximately 10 lb/ft.
In order to arrive at the moments at the base of the post, I need to determine the amount of tension in the cable at the post's top. From what I can tell, there are a few complicating items:
1) The basic catenary tension/sag equation is T = wl^2/(8*d)
where
T=horizontal tension
w=uniform vertical load
l=undeflected cable span
d=mid-span cable sag
So from this equation, I need T to solve for d, and vice versa. Which variable is known? I can imagine 2 scenarios: the cable being installed to a limited maximum sag (in this case d is known and T can be derived) or the cable being pre-tensioned to a minimum tension value (in this case T is known and d is derived).
2) When the cable undergoes the design ice load, the post/cable system will deflect to reach a point of equilibrium. The cable will sag and the posts will bend inward (creating additional sag in the cable). In order to determine these forces, I have modeled the system in RISA.
Using the RISA manual's recommendations for modeling cable action, I've broken the cable up into 5 equal members and given the member joints an initial displacement downward (essentially a guess at the catenary shape). See second attached image. After running the analysis and recording the new displacements, I move the cable joints halfway between their initial location and the new displacements. After a few iterations, I have converged to an equilibrium state. This seems like a sensible way to arrive at a solution. Does anyone else have experience or suggestions on an analysis model?
I've used an E=12,000 ksi and an effective area Ae=0.5Ag which approximates the midrange of values listed in the Wire Rope Engineering Handbook. I've used a 1" diameter cable with Ae=0.393 in2.
Thanks guys; any and all help is appreciated.
In order to arrive at the moments at the base of the post, I need to determine the amount of tension in the cable at the post's top. From what I can tell, there are a few complicating items:
1) The basic catenary tension/sag equation is T = wl^2/(8*d)
where
T=horizontal tension
w=uniform vertical load
l=undeflected cable span
d=mid-span cable sag
So from this equation, I need T to solve for d, and vice versa. Which variable is known? I can imagine 2 scenarios: the cable being installed to a limited maximum sag (in this case d is known and T can be derived) or the cable being pre-tensioned to a minimum tension value (in this case T is known and d is derived).
2) When the cable undergoes the design ice load, the post/cable system will deflect to reach a point of equilibrium. The cable will sag and the posts will bend inward (creating additional sag in the cable). In order to determine these forces, I have modeled the system in RISA.
Using the RISA manual's recommendations for modeling cable action, I've broken the cable up into 5 equal members and given the member joints an initial displacement downward (essentially a guess at the catenary shape). See second attached image. After running the analysis and recording the new displacements, I move the cable joints halfway between their initial location and the new displacements. After a few iterations, I have converged to an equilibrium state. This seems like a sensible way to arrive at a solution. Does anyone else have experience or suggestions on an analysis model?
I've used an E=12,000 ksi and an effective area Ae=0.5Ag which approximates the midrange of values listed in the Wire Rope Engineering Handbook. I've used a 1" diameter cable with Ae=0.393 in2.
Thanks guys; any and all help is appreciated.






RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
If this is a hand rail you may have to design it for more than just ice...I think there are minimum forces to design for (200lbs pt load I think, or a min. lb/ft)
Also, I think modelling the cable in RISA might be a bit overkill...I'm looking at my structures book from school and the calc's aren't that bad
I would think you would want to pick an acceptable deflection, then calc your tensions, then size your cable.
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
i agree with the modelling comments ... surely a cable design guide (such as you've referred) is sufficient ? else "simple" hand calcs; the biggest concern (IMHO) is the impact on the columns.
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
The technique used in the Modeling Tips section can be used. However, it has a number of limitations:
1) It is really most effective when you ALREADY know the final deflected shape of the cable. In that way, it can be used to VERIFY the accuracy of another calcualtion. But, it is a difficult and iterative process if you are trying to use trial and error to guess at the correct geometry to input into the program.
2) It is only valid for a single load combination. If you have multiple load combinations, then each one would require a different geometry.
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
Actually, that is not the equation of a catenary. It assumes a parabolic drape, but it is probably close enough for your purposes.
Start with the desired sag, d and calculate T(cable) for the non-iced condition.
Estimate d for the added weight of ice. Calculate T(ice), deflection of each post and cable stretch due to ice. Using the expression for the length of a catenary (or parabola) check the value of d.
Repeat until your estimated value of d is acceptable.
BA
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
But as BA says - its a very simple calc.
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
I looked for a site to explain instead of me writing, I'm a hunt and peck typist, and I found this site that should be of some help.
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The wire is an elastic catenary and it will stretch further when carrying ice so you will have to consider that as well as the deflection of the poles, it helps to reduce the tension so it shouldn't be ignored.
If I were doing this, I would do some quick and dirty approximations to get a feel for the problem. I might try ther iced up wire at a deflection limit to rough out what size pole, sorry, angles would be needed. When I was assigned to the transmission and distribution group, I found that the wire calculations always seemed to be backward, or perhaps I had to think backwards, start with a deflection and find the wire to match. I don't know what headroom you must maintain, but the sag increases when the temperature of the wire increases but this usually doesn't control if there is an icing case.
Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
Better treatment of cables is a frequent request. For that reason, I wouldn't be surprised if gets into the program within a couple of years. But, I seriously doubt whether it could happen any time in 2012.
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
Just my aesthetic, but..., why not get a 20' long 2x12, or have someone saw a, 20' long, 2 or 3" plank out of a log. Carve "MakeYourself's Walking Path" in both faces, and put 6 or 8 eye bolts in the top edge of this plank; run the cable through these eye bolts, btwn. the posts. Now when you tension the cable, which you should do, you will put the plank in compression btwn. the post, but cause almost no cantilever bending or foundation problems in the posts. A small angle bracket at the bottom of the plank to both posts, fixes the plank against swinging. I grant that you will have some cantilever action from wind loads, but no where near the problem the cable tension would cause. And, you will have something to memorialize your great design effort. After all, it is so difficult to stencil "MakeYourself's Walking Path" on a cable and have it be legible from the ground. In fact, with a 21' long plank bolted btwn. the double angle legs you could save the cable to tie up your horsey, but not from the top of the posts.
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
On the analysis side of things, I am heeding the advice of many of you (BA's and Paddington's in particular) and scrapping the use of RISA and using simple hand calcs taken from the Wire Rope Engineering Handbook I initially referenced.
My next question for those who have dealt with cables:
What shows up on the drawings/specifications regarding cable erection? The erection cable tension or erection cable center deflection (sag)?
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
You are the engineer - you specify!!
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
Another question occurs to me, you should perhaps, CYA in case somebody hangs a significantly large sign from the wire, perhaps after a couple of years have passed under the bridge.
P.S. I do like mixing metaphors, it seems to make them more powerful.
Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
RE: Calculating Tension and Sag in a Cable
I was thinking of either; a letter to the architect saying that MakeYourself was going to add the effect of a large sign in the hope that he would send back a letter guaranteeing it wouldn't happen, or just add an allowance into the calculation.
Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.