Pre-tensioning cable for Artwork
Pre-tensioning cable for Artwork
(OP)
Simple, but unstable?
An artist has asked us to check the design on a proposed hanging artwork. This is in the very early stages, but the “artwork” requested is a 50’ tall structure, suspended 14’ above and below the rigid steel beam support. The outer ring is light metal curved panels, with “spokes” back to a 2” dia XX pipe (the artist is taking sole responsibility of this piece, we are not modeling this). Inside the pipe is a high strength (275 ksi) cable, that can be pre-tensioned.
The artist was hoping that if we pre-tension the cable, to say 30 kips, we could limit the deflection when wind (and ice+wind) hit the structure. For a L/180 deflection, say 5.25”, we should be able to back calculate the required tension, although it appears unstable at first glance? Is this simple diagram too simplified?
Thank you in advance.
An artist has asked us to check the design on a proposed hanging artwork. This is in the very early stages, but the “artwork” requested is a 50’ tall structure, suspended 14’ above and below the rigid steel beam support. The outer ring is light metal curved panels, with “spokes” back to a 2” dia XX pipe (the artist is taking sole responsibility of this piece, we are not modeling this). Inside the pipe is a high strength (275 ksi) cable, that can be pre-tensioned.
The artist was hoping that if we pre-tension the cable, to say 30 kips, we could limit the deflection when wind (and ice+wind) hit the structure. For a L/180 deflection, say 5.25”, we should be able to back calculate the required tension, although it appears unstable at first glance? Is this simple diagram too simplified?
Thank you in advance.





