Montogue

Quiz SM105
Cables
Lucas Montogue
Problems
PROBLEM (Bedford & Fowler, 2008, w/ permission)

The cable supports a distributed load w= 12,000 lb/ft. Determine the

maximum tension in the cable.

90 ft

40 ft
h

-100 fl-

A)rmax = 561.7 kip

B) Tmax = 656.8 kip
C)rmax = 758.9 kip
D)rmax = 834.0 kip

PROBLEM G (Merriam & Kraige., 2002, w/ permission)

A cable weighing 25 N/m is suspended from point A and passes over the
small pulley at B. Calculate the mass of the attached cylinder which will produce a
sag of 9 m.
100 m

A) m = 21 5.5 kg
B)m = 269.5 kg
C)m = 312.5 kg
D)m = 355.5 kg

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PROBLEM Q (Beer et al., 2013, w/ permission)
The mass of cable ACB is 20 kg. Assuming that the mass of the cable is
distributed uniformly along the horizontal, determine the sag of the cable and the
slope at point A.

r
4.5 m
,150 kg

6m

A) h = 50.6 mm and dA = 2.63°

B) h = 50.6 mm and SA = 5.26°
C) h = 91.8 mm and 6A = 2.63°
D) li = 91.8 mm and eA = 5.26°

PROBLEM O (ÿer et al., 2013, w/ permission)

Two cables of the same gauge are attached to a transmission tower at 6.

Since the tower is slender, the horizontal component of the forces exerted by the
cables at B is to be zero. Knowing that the mass per unit length of the cables is 0.4
kg/m, determine the sag and the maximum tension in each cable.

90 m 60 m

3m

A) h = 3.68 m and Tm = 388.4 N

B) h = 3.68 m and Tm = 61 3,9 N
C)h = 6.75 m and Tm = 388.4 N
D)h = 6.75 m and Tm = 613.9 N

PROBLEM 0 (Beer et al., 2013, w/ permission)

The total mass of cable AC is 25 kg. Assuming that the mass of the cable is
distributed uniformly along the horizontal, determine the sag h of the cable and
the slope at point C.

-— 2.5m

3m

450 kg

5m

A) h = 14 mm and 8C = 1 5.5°
B) /? = 14 mm and Bc = 27.6°
C) h = 28 mm and 8C = 1 5.5°
D) h = 28 mm and Bc = 27.6°

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PROBLEM Q (Bedford & Fowler, 2008, w/ permission)
The stationary balloon's tether is horizontal at point 0 where it is attached
to the truck. The mass per unit length of the tether is 0.45 kg/m. The tether exerts
a 50-N horizontal force on the truck. The horizontal distance from point 0 to point
A where the tether is attached to the balloon is 20 m. What is the height of point/4
relative to point 0?

A)ft = 12.8 m
B) ft = 17.8 m
C) ft = 22.8 m
D) ft = 27.8 m

PROBLEM (Bedford & Fowler, 2008, w/ permission)

The mass per unit length of lines AB and BC is 2 kg/m. The tension at the
lowest point of cable AB is 1.8 kN. The two lines exert equal horizontal forces at B.
Assume the cables to be catenaries. Regarding this system, which of the following
is not true?

A) The sag ftt of cable AB is 6.25 m.

B)The sag h2 of cable BC is 2.19 m.
C) The maximum tension for cable AB is 1897 N.
D)The maximum tension for cable fiCis 1 843 N.

PROBLEM QA (Beer et al., 2013, w/ permission)

A 20-m length of wire having a mass per unit length of 0.2 kg/m is
attached to a fixed support at A and to a collar at 6, as shown in the figure below.
Neglecting the effect of friction, determine the force P for which h = 8 m and the
corresponding span L.

A )p = 4.41 N and L = 9.88 m

B)p = 4.41 N and L = 13.4 m
C)p = 8.82 N and L = 9.88 m
D)p = 8.82 N and L = 13.4 m

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PROBLEM ©B
Reconsider the previous figure. A 20-m length of wire having a mass per
unit length of 0.2 kg/m is attached to a fixed support at A and to a collar at 6.
Neglecting the effect of friction, determine the force P for which L = 15 m and the
corresponding sag h.
A)p = 5.61 N and h = 5.89 m
B) P = 5.61 N and h = 8.68 m
C) P = 1 0.9 N and h = 5.89 m
D)p = 10.9 N and h = 8.68 m

PROBLEM ÿ (Beer et al., 2013, w/ permission)

A40-m cable is strung between two buildings as shown. The maximum

tension is found to be 350 N, and the lowest point of the cable is observed to be 6
m above the ground. Determine the minimum distance between the buildings and
the total mass of the cable.

14 m

A) L = 17.8 m and m = 49.2 kg

B)i = 17.8 m and m = 63.5 kg
C) L = 35.6 m and m = 49.2 kg
D) L = 35.6 m and m = 63.5 kg

PROBLEM ©
The following are statements related to standards Structural Applications of
Steel Cables for Buildings (ASCE 19-1 0), by the American Society of Civil Engineers,
and Recommendations for Stay Cable Design, by the Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI).
True or false?

1. ( )ASCE 19-10 recommends reductions in nominal cable strength and

modulus of elasticity for temperatures above 93°C.

2. ( ) According to the PTI's Recommendations, stay cable specimens shall have a

minimum length of 3.5 m. The anchorages of the stay cable specimens shall be
supported on wedge-shaped shim plates, creating angular deviations of 10"2
radians.

3. ( ) Also according to the PTI's Recommendations, after fatigue loading, a test

specimen shall be reloaded, with the wedge-shaped shim plates remaining in
place, and shall develop a minimum tensile force of 95% of the actual tensile
strength of the cable or 92% of the minimum ultimate tensile strength of the
cable, whichever is greater.

4. ( ) In consonance with ASCE 19-10, the prestretching force of the cable may
not exceed 55% of the minimum breaking force.

5. ( ) Cable vibrations in bridges may be excited by dynamic wind forces acting

on the cable. Such forces are caused by turbulence in the oncoming air flow
(galloping), vortex shedding in the wake behind the cable, self-induction
(buffeting), fluid-elastic interaction between neighboring cables (wake galloping),
or by interaction between rain, wind, and cable.

6. ( ) According to ASCE 1 9-10, cables exposed to atmospheric conditions shall

have corrosion protection at least equivalent to Class B zinc coating as defined in
ASTM standards.

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7. ( ) According to the PTI's Recommendations, non-destructive evaluation and
monitoring techniques include the vibration method, ultrasonic testing, and the
magnetic perturbation method.

8. ( ) According to ASCE 1 9-10, If required in the contract documents, assemblies

with attached sockets shall be proof loaded to the tension force specified in order
to verify the integrity of socketing.

9. ( ) According to ASCE 19-10, all cables and their associated elements shall receive a
routine inspection on a 3-year cycle to determine their physical and functional condition,
and to identify any changes that deviate from the original installation.

10. ( ) A section of the PTI's Recommendations establishes that the fatigue

strength of the stay cable system be demonstrated by tests of at least three stay
cable specimens. Passage of these tests ensures similar properties for all of the
strand produced for the project.

Solutions
P.l ÿ Solution
The equation y = (1/2)ax2, where a = w/T0, must be satisfied for both
attachment points. Hence,

1 1
yL = 40 = - ax2L ; 90 = - ax2R

Dividing the second equation by the first yields

The horizontal span of the bridge \sxR-xL = 100 ft. Solving this equation
along with the previous one yields xR = 60 ft and xL = -40 ft. Substituting the
coordinates on the expression for the parabola, we obtain

Vr = \axR 90 = ÿa(60)2
a = 0.05 ft"1
Therefore, the tension on the lowest point is

w 12,000 lb/ft
r°=a= = 240'000'b
0.05 ft-1
The maximum tension on the cable occurs at its right end. Substituting
the pertaining variables in the equation for the tension, T, it follows that

T = Tjl+a2x2 = 240 x V 1+ 0.052 x 602 = 1758.9 kip

The maximum tension in the cable is close to 759 kips and occurs at x = 60
ft.

I The correct answer is C.

P.2 ÿ Solution
Consider the following illustration of the cable.

Given the equation that describes the cable, y = (wx2/2T0), we have,

point 8,

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 21= —- (I)
2 T0

while at point A,

w(100 — Xg)2
9=
2T0 <">
The two previous equations can be combined to yield xg - 350xs +
17,500 = 0, which is a quadratic equation in xs. Solving it, we getxB = 289.6 m,
which is unfeasible, and xB = 60.4 m, which is the proper result. To obtain the
tension T0, we substitute the foregoing value of xB into Equation (I), giving

25(60.4)2
21 = —ÿ ÿ
r00 = 2171.5 N
2 T0
To obtain the weight of the cylinder, we sum forces in segment OB,

(mg)2 = 702 + (wxB)2

Substituting the pertaining variables, we get

(m x 9.81)2 = 21702 + (25 x 60.4)2

m = 269.5 kg

I The correct answer is B.

P.3 ÿ Solution
To begin, we consider equilibrium for the entire frame.

fll .f 20 #>*)(?, 6/ - M-W

The sum of moments relative to point D is such that

= 0 -> ÿ(4.5) - 20(9.81)(4) - 150(9.81)(6) = 0

Ax = 2136.4 N

Similarly, reaction Ay can be obtained by considering the free body

diagram for the entire cable.

196.2 N

The sum of moments relative to point B should equal zero; that is,

mB = 0 -> Ay (8) - 196.2(4) = 0

• • Ay = 98.1 N
Next, consider segment AC of the cable.

The sum of forces in thex-direction and the sum of moments relative to

point A should both equal zero. Accordingly,

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 TFX — 0 -> T0 — Ax — 0

ZMa =0 ->T0h- 98.1(2) = 0

98.1(2)
h= „ ,„ ;. = 0.0918 = 1-
91.8 mm 1
2136.4
Next, in order to determine the slope of the cable, consider equilibrium
relative to end A.

MM

The cable makes an angle ffA relative to the horizontal, which may be
obtained as

Ax
tan 9. = — = ÿ
98.1
Ay 2136.4

The sag of the cable is 91.8 mm, and the slope of the cable at A is 2.63°.

I The correct answer is C.

P.4 ÿ Solution
The weight W of cable AB between an arbitrary point D and its rightmost
point, B, is W = wxB.

- i2

The sum of moments relative to point B is such that

£Mb = 0 -> T0yB - wxB (y) = 0

The horizontal component T0 is then

Win
r' =
w. (I)

For cable AB, we have xB = 45 m and T0 follows as

w(45)2 w
T°= — =1012*h (H)

Next, for cable BC, with xfl = 30 m andy0 = 3 m, we have

w(30)2
t° = ÿT = 150w (iii)
Because the horizontal component of the forces exerted by the cables is
to be zero, Equations (II) and (III) should yield the same result; that is,

w
(To)ii = (Win -» 1012.5— = 150w

1012.5
h = —-— = 1-
6.75 m1
150
The required sag is 6.75 m. Next, we appeal to the following expression
for tension Tm,

t* = r02 + w2 (iv)
For cable AB, the distributed weight is w = 0.4(9.81) = 3.92 N/m. Then,
substituting xe = 45 m andyB = h = 6.75 m into Equation (I), we obtain

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 wxl 3.92(45)2
T° = ÿ = ÿW = 588N
Now, the weight Wis such that W = wxB = 3.92(45) = 176.4 N. Substituting
these results into Equation (IV), we have

Tm = V 5882 + 176.42 = |613.9N|

The maximum tension is close to 614 N.

I The correct answer is D.

P.5 ÿ Solution
The weight of the cable is W = 25(9.81) = 245.3 N, while the weight of the
450 kg block is WB = 450(9.81) = 4414.5 N.

W= t ' "3
-J
Summing moments relative to point B, we have

I,MB = 0 -> 245.3(2.5) + 4414.5(3) - Cx{2.5) = 0

Cx = 5542.7 N
Because Fx and C, are the only forces in the x-direction, we can easily
conclude that \AX\ = \CX\ = 5542.7 N. Now, taking moments relative to point A we
have

Y.Ma = 0 -> Cy(5) - 5542.7(2.5) - 245.3(2.5) = 0

Cy = 2894 N
We can then obtain the slope of the cable at point C,

Cv 2894
tan 8C = „ -> 9r = arctan 0.522 = 1 27.6°
Cx 5542.7
Consider the following free body diagram of the cable.

Summing forces in they-direction, we have

XFy = 0 -> Cy - Ay - 245.3 = 0

• • Ay — Cy — 245.3 = 2894 - 245.3 = 2648.7 N

Next, consider equilibrium of one half of the cable.

ss-ut.
r /a*-*-'"* J. .
_

The weight of the cable segment is W - 12.5(9.81) = 122.6 N. Summing

moments relative to hypothetical point O, we have

Y.M0 = 0 -> 122.6(1.25) + 2649(2.5) - 5543yd = 0

yd = 1.222 m
The sag h of the cable is, then,

h = 1.250 - 1.222 = 0.028 = 28 mm

ÿ The correct answer is D.

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P.6 ÿ Solution
A cable hanging against its own weight can be described by the equation

1
y = — (cosh ax — 1)
a
where a = (w/T0) = [9.81(0.453/50] = 0.0883 m"1.

J
->

V.
X

I' » 20 m —
-v

Substituting this value along with x = 20 m, we can obtain the value of the
height h, namely,

h =- [cosh(0.0883 x 20) - 1] = |22.8m|

0.0883
ÿ The correct answer is C.

P.7 ÿ Solution
The lines meet the conditions for a catenary. The weight density is w =
2(9.81) = 19.62 N/m. Parameter a for segment AB is found as

19.62
= 0.0109
T
'ab 1800
The sag of cable AB is then

ht = ÿ j (cosh 30a! — 1) 4.95 m

= 4.'

Next, consider segment BC. The horizontal component of the tension in B

is Tab = 1.8 kN. Thus the tension of the lowest point in BC is 1 .8 kN, and parameter
a for line BC is equal to cr,. The sag is

h2 = ÿ ÿ (cosh 20a! — 1) = 2.19 m

The maximum tension for cable AB is

Tab,max = Tab cosh 30ai = 1897.1 N

while the maximum tension for cable BC is

1BC,max = Tbc cosh 20a! = 1842.9 N

Because sag h, = 4.95 ÿ 6.25 m, the first statement is incorrect.

ÿ The false statement is A.

P.8 ÿ Solution
Part A: Consider the free body diagram for the cable.

p = r0

We have a total length sT = 20 m, which implies that sB = 20/2 = 10 m. The

weight per unit length of the wire is w = 0.2(9.81) = 1.96 N/m, and the sag is hB = 8
m. The following relationship must hold for the wire in equilibrium,

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 yl = (c + hg)2 = c2 + s|
which can be solved for c to give

sj - h2B 102 - 82
= 2.25 m
2(8)
Now, assuming that the cable is a catenary, its length can be obtained
from the relation

sB = csinh —
c
which can be easily solved for the horizontal span xs,

So ,10
xB = c sinh — = 2.25 sinh
ÿ
= 4.94 m

Hence,

L = 2xB = 2(4.94) = |9.88 m|

Finally, the force P that corresponds to a sag h = 8 m is such that

p = T0 = wc= 1.96(2.25) = |4.41N|

ÿ The correct answer is A.

Part B: Once again, consider the following free body diagram.

The length of either half of the cable is sB = 20/2 = 10 m, while its weight
per unit length is w = 0.2(9.81) = 1,96 N/m, Assuming the cable to be a catenary, it
can be described with the equation

So = c sinh — = c sinh —
c 2c
Substituting the values for sfl (= 1 0 m) and L (= 7.5 m), we arrive at the
relation

7.5
10 = csinh-

This can be solved using a CAS such as Mathematica, in which case we

could apply the FindRoot command with an initial guess of c = 1 m. The pertaining
code is

FindRoot c * Sinh
This returns c = 5.55 m. To obtain the sag of the cable, we first resort to
the equation

xB 7.5
yB = ccosh — = 5.55 cosh - = 11.44 m
ÿ

Accordingly, the sag is

h = yB-c = 11.44 - 5.55 = |5.89m|

Lastly, the force P exerted on the cable is given by

p = wc = 1.96(5.55) = 110.9 N|

The correct answer is C.

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P.9 ÿ Solution
Consider the figure below.

We have sB = 20 m, Tm = 350 N, and (7 = 14-6 = 8 m. DistanceyB is such

thaty8 = h + c = 8 + c. We know that
7 7 7
Vb-Sb = c
which, upon substituting the corresponding values, becomes

(8 + c)2 — 202 = c2
with the result that c = 21 .0 m. The expression for the length of the catenary, sB,
can be used to obtain the value of xB,

sB = c sinh — -> 20 = 21.0 sinh

c 21.0
B.
xB = 17.8 m
The distance between the buildings is

L = 2xb = 2(17.8) = 1 35.6 m|

Now, we appeal to the expression for maximum tension in the cable,

Tm = wyB -> 350 = w(8 + 21.0)

• • w = 12.1 N/m
The weight W is such that

W = 2 sBw = 40 x 12.07 = 482.8 N

The mass of the cable is then

W 482.8 -

I The correct answer is C.

P.10 ÿ Solution
1. True. Indeed, ASCE 19-10 establishes a reduction in nominal cable strength if
temperatures surpass 200°F (or 93°C).
2. True. In fact, according to Section 4.2 of the Recommendations, "stay cable
specimens shall have a minimum length of 3.5 m. The anchorages of the
stay cable specimens shall be supported on wedge-shaped shim plates,
creating angular deviations of 1 0"2 radians, and oriented such as to create a
S-shaped cable profile."
3. False. The statement has switched percentages. In fact, Section 4.2,
"Acceptance Testing of Stay Cables," establishes that, after fatigue loading,
the cable shall be reloaded and "shall develop a minimum tensile force equal
to 92% of the actual ultimate tensile strength of the cable or 95% of the
minimum ultimate tensile strength of the cable, whichever is greater."
4. True. Indeed, Section 4.2 of ASCE 19-10 establishes that "prestretching force
shall not exceed 55% of the minimum breaking force." Furthermore, "for
cables more than 2.5 in. (63 mm) in diameter, consultation with cable
manufacturers during structural design is recommended."
5. False. The excerpt has switched the definitions of galloping and buffeting. In
fact, galloping is "vortex shedding in the wake behind the cable", whereas
buffeting is the turbulence in oncoming airflow.
6. False. The statement is wrong in that it establishes Class B as the minimum
requirement for corrosion protection of cable material. In fact, "cables
exposed to atmospheric conditions shall have corrosion protection at least

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 equivalent to Class A zinc coating on all wires defined in ASTM A586 and
A603, except those composed of stainless steel wires."
7. True. These methods are listed in pages 81 and 82 of Recommendations.
8. True. This provision is established in Section 7.2. of ASCE 1 9-10.
9. False. According to Section 9.2, "Routine Inspections", of ASCE 19-10, "all
cables and their associated elements shall receive a routine inspection on a
2- [not 3-] year cycle to determine their physical and functional condition."
10. False. As per Appendix A of Recommendations, "passage of these tests does
not ensure similar properties for all of the strand produced for the project."
The authors thus recommend application of the so-called one-pin test, which
gives much better assurance as for the ductility of a length of strand.

Answer Summary
Problem t
Problem 2
Problem 3
Problem 4 D
Problem 5
Problem 6
Problem 7
8A A
Problem 8
8B
Problem 9
Problem 10 T/F
References
American Society of Civil Engineers. (2010). ASCE Standard 19-10: Structural
Applications of Steel Cables for Buildings. Reston: ASCE Press.
BEDFORD, A. and FOWLER, W. (2008). Engineering Mechanics: Statics. 5th
edition. Upper Saddle River: Pearson.
BEER, F. etal. (2013). Vector Mechanicsfor Engineers. 10th edition. New
York: McGraw-Flill.
MERIAM, J. and KRAIGE, L. (2002). Engineering Mechanics: Statics. 5th
edition. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons.
Post-Tensioning Institute. (2007). Recommendationsfor Stay Cable Design,
Testingand Installation. Phoenix: Post-Tensioning Institute.

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