1

CABLES AND SUSPENSION BRIDGES

Cables are used to support loads over long spans such as suspension bridges, roof of
large open buildings etc. The only force in the cable is direct tension. Since the cables are
flexible they carry zero B.M.

Analysis of cables
Analysis of cable involves determination of reactions at the support and tension over
different parts of the cable.

To determine the reactions at the support and tension equilibrium conditions are used.
In addition to that BM about any point of the cable can be equated to zero.

P1: Determine the reactions components and tension in different parts of the cable shown in
figure. Also find the sag at D and E.

=0 F
x


B A
B A
H H
0 H H
=
= +
------ (1)

=0 F
y


kN 120 V V
B A
= +
------ (2)

=0 M
A


kN 55 V
kN 65 V
0 80 x V 60 x 50 40 x 40 20 x 30
A
B
B
=
=
= + +


0 M
c
=
(About the point where sag is given)

B A
A
H kN 110 H
0 20 x 55 10 x H
= =
= +


A 20 m 20 m 20 m 20 m B

1
T
1
10 m
y
D
=14.55

y
E
=11.82

H
A
=220 kN H
B
=110 kN
V
A
=55 kN
V
B
=65 kN
T4
T2
T3
30 kN
40 kN
50 kN
C
D
E

2
2
Point A:

=0 F
x

kN 123 T
0 110 56 . 26 Cos T
1
1
=
=


tan
20
10
1
=
56 . 26
1
=

To find Y
E
We have
:-
0 M . B
E
=

m 82 . 11 Y
0 20 x 65 Y x 110
E
E
=
= +


To Find Y
D
0 M . B
D
=
:-


m 55 . 14 Y
0 Y x H 40 x 65 20 x 50
D
D B
=
= +


=26.56
55 kN
110 kN
T
1
3
Point D:

=0 F
x

984 . 0 T T
0 81 . 12 Cos T 77 . 7 Cos T
2 3
2 3
=
=


tan
20
10 55 . 14
2

=
81 . 12
1
=
tan
20
82 . 11 55 . 14
3

=
77 . 7
3
=

=0 F
Y

kN 95 . 110 T
kN 75 . 112 T
0 40 81 . 12 Sin T 77 . 7 Sin 984 . 0 T
0 40
81 . 12 Sin T 77 . 7 Sin T
3
2
2 2
2 1
=
=
= +
=
+


12.81 =
40 kN
110 kN

3
=7.77
T
2
T
3
4
Part B:

=0 F
x

kN 77 . 127 T
0 58 . 30 Cos T 110
4
4
=
=

tan
20
82 . 11
4
=
58 . 30
4
=

Note: It can be observed that more the inclination or the slope more is the tension. Near the
supports slope will be more and hence tension will also be more.

2) A Chord Supported at its ends 40 m apart carries loads of 200 kN, 100 kN and 120 kN at
distances 10 m, 20 m and 30 m from the left end. If the point on the chord where 100 kN
load is supported is 13 m below the level of the end supports. Determine
(a) Reactions at the support.
(b) Tension in different part.
(c) Length of the chord.

=0 F
x

A 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m E
T
1
y
B
13 m
y
D


H
A
=200 H
B
=200
V
A
=230
V
E
=190
T4
T2
T3
200 kN
100 kN
120 kN
B
C
D

3
110 kN
65 kN
30.18
T
4
5

E A
E A
H H
0 H H
=
= +
------ (1)

=0 F
y

kN 420 V V
E A
= + ------ (2)

=0 M
A


kN 230 V
kN 190 V
0 40 x V 30 x 120 20 x 100 10 x 200
A
E
E
=
=
= + +


0 M
c
=
(Always take BM about the point for which sag is given)

E A
A
H kN 200 H
0 20 x 230 10 x 200 13 x H
= =
= +


6
Point A:

0 M . B
B
=


m 5 . 11 Y
0 Y x 200 10 x 230
B
B
=
=


49
10
5 . 11
tan
1
1
1
=
|
.
|

\
|
=

=0 F
x

kN 85 . 304 T
0 200 49 Cos T
1
1
=
=


Point B:

=0 F
x

2

200 kN
204.85 kN
T
2
49
49
230 kN
200 kN
T
1
7
kN 22 . 202 T
0 49 Cos
8 . 304 53 . 8 Cos T
2
2
=
=

tan
2
10
11.5 13
=

2
Point C:
=8.53

=0 M . B
D

m 5 . 9 Y
0 10 x 190 Y x 200
D
D
=
= +

=0 F
x

kN 90 . 211 T
0 53 . 8 Cos 22 . 202 3 . 19 Cos T
3
3
=
=
tan
10
5 . 9 13
3

=

3 . 19
3
=

100 kN
202.22 kN
T
3
8.53
19.3
8
Point E:

=0 F
x

kN 85 . 275 T
0 53 . 43 Cos T 200
4
4
=
=
tan
10
5 . 9
4
=

53 . 43
4
=

Length of the Chord = DE CD BC AB + + +
Cos
AB
10
1
=

49 Cos
10
AB =
m 22 . 15 AB =

Cos
BC
10
2
=

53 . 8 Cos
10
BC =
m 12 . 10 BC =

Cos
CD
10
3
=

3 . 19 Cos
10
CD =
m 6 . 10 CD =


Cos
DE
10
4
=
200 kN
190 kN

4

T
4
9

53 . 43 Cos
10
DE =
m 8 . 13 DE =

Total length of Chord =49.76m

3) Determine reactions at supports and tension indifferent parts of the cable shown in
figure.

=0 F
x


B A
B A
H H
0 H H
=
= +
------ (1)

=0 F
y

kN 120 V V
B A
= + ------ (2)

=0 M
A


6250 V 100 H 15
0 15 x H 100 x V 75 x 40 50 x 50 25 x 30
B B
B B
= +
= + +

67 . 416 V 67 . 6 H
B B
= + ------ (3)


0 M . B
D
=


1000 V 50 H 5 . 2
0 25 x 40 50 x V 5 . 2 x H
B B
B B
=
= +

400 V 20 H
B B
= ------ (4)

H
A
A 25 m 25 m 25 m 25 m

2
T4
T3
T2
T
1
V
A

V
B

40 kN
50 kN
30 kN
C
D
E
8.75
7.5 m determined

10 m
(given)

8.95
26.25
15 m
2.5
10
(3) (4) gives
400 67 . 416 V 67 . 26
B
+ =
kN 62 . 30 V
B
=
A B
H kN 42 . 212 H = =
kN 38 . 89 V
A
=

Point A:

=0 F
x

kN 05 . 225 T
0 42 . 212 29 . 19 Cos T
1
1
=
=


|
.
|

\
|
=

25
75 . 8
tan
1
1

29 . 19
1
=

1
=19.29
89.38 kN
212.42 kN
T
1
11
30 kN
225.05 kN
T
2
19.29

2
=5.71
Point C:
|
.
|

\
|
=

25
5 . 2
tan
1
2

71 . 5
2
=
|
.
|

\
|
=

25
75 . 8
tan
1
3

29 . 19
3
=
|
.
|

\
|
=

25
25 . 11
tan
1
4

22 . 24
4
=

4) A cable is used to support loads 40 kN and 60 kN across a span of 45 m as shown in
figure. The length of the cable is 46.5 m. Determine tension in various segments.

=0 F
x


D A
D A
H H
0 H H
=
= +
------ (1)

=0 F
y

kN 100 V V
D A
= + ------ (2)

=0 M
A


kN 67 . 46 V
kN 33 . 53 V
0 45 x V 30 x 60 15 x 40
A
D
D
=
=
= +
------ (3)

0 M . B
B
=


05 . 700 Y H
0 Y x H 15 x 67 . 46
B A
B A
=
=


A 15 m 15 m 15 m D
T
1
y
B
=4.4 m
y
C
=5.025

H
A
=159.2 kN
H
D

V
A
=46.67 =0 V
D
=53.33
T2
T3
40 kN
60 kN
B
D
12
0 M
C
=

10 . 800 Y H
0 Y x H 15 x 40 30 x 67 . 46
C A
C A
=
=

10 . 800
05 . 700
Y H
Y H
C A
B A
=
C B
Y 875 . 0 Y =

We have DE CD BC AB + + + =46.5m

m 5 . 46 Y 15 ) Y Y ( 15 Y 15
2
C
2 2
B C
2
2
B
2
= + + + + +

( ) | | ( ) | |
2
1
2
1
/
2
C C
2
/
2
C
2
Y 875 . 0 Y 15 Y 875 . 0 15 + + +

| |
| | | |
| | 5 . 46 Y 15
Y 0156 . 0 15 Y 766 . 0 15
5 . 46 Y 15
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
/
2
C
2
/
2
C
2
/
2
C
2
/
2
C
2
= + +
+ + +
= + +


5 . 46
15
Y
1
15
Y 0156 . 0 1
15
Y 766 . 0 1
15
2
1
2
1
2
1
/
2
2
C
/
2
2
C
/
2
2
C
=
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ +
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+


5 . 46
15
Y
2
1
1
15
Y 0156 . 0
x
2
1
1
15
Y 766 . 0
x
2
1
1 15
2
2
C
2
2
C
2
2
C
=
(
(

+ + + + + +


| |
15
5 . 46
Y 00396 . 0 3
2
C
= +


1 . 0 Y 00396 . 0
2
C
=


m 4 . 4 Y
m 025 . 5 Y
B
C
=
=


We have

D A
A
B A
H kN 2 . 159 H
4 . 4
05 . 700
H
05 . 700 Y H
= =
=
=

|
.
|

\
|
=

15
4 . 4
tan
1
1

35 . 16
0
1
=
13

Point A:

=0 F
x

kN 90 . 5 . 16 T
0 kN 2 . 159
35 . 16 Cos T
1
0
1
=
=



Point C:

=0 F
x

2 3
2 3
T 053 . 1 T
0 385 . 2 Cos T 52 . 18 Cos T
=
=


|
.
|

\
|

=

15
4 . 4 025 . 5
tan
1
2

385 . 2
2
=
|
.
|

\
|
=

15
025 . 5
tan
1
3

52 . 18
3
=

1

46.67 kN
159.2 kN
T
1
14

=0 F
Y


kN 89 . 167 T
kN 44 . 159 T
60 T 376 . 0
0 60 385 . 2 Sin T 52 . 18 Sin T 053 . 1
0 60 385 . 2 Sin T 52 . 18 Sin T
3
2
2
2 2
2 3
=
=
=
= +
= +











General Equation of a cable or Differential Equation.
General shape of a cable depends on nature of loading, location of loads, type of
supports etc. The equilibrium of a part of a cable shall be considered to obtain equation for
cable when the cable is subjected to all over UDL.

Let us consider the equilibrium of a small length ds of the cable shown in figure.
Let the cable be subjected to UDL of intensity W over horizontal span figure shows tension
and horizontal, vertical reactions in the part of the cable we have.
60 kN
T
2

T
3

3

15

H =T Cos
V =T Sin
=

= Sec H
Cos
H
T
=

= tan
Cos T
Sin T
H
V

V =H tan

Let us consider the equilibrium of the part of the cable shown in fig.
We have.

=0 F
Y

(V + dv) V W x dx = 0
dv = wdx
| |
W
dx
tan H d
=

W
dx
dx
dy
Hd
=
(

|
.
|

\
|

H
W
dx
Y d
2
2
=

To derive equations for cable profile and tension in the cable when it is supported at
the same level and subjected to horizontal UDL.

Let us consider a cable of span L and max sag H subjected to UDL of intensity W as
shown in fig. From general equation we have
H
W
dx
d
2
2
y
=
C
D
W kN/m
V
D
=v +dv T +d
H
D
=H
V =V
C
=TSin
T
C
H =H
C
=TCos
ds
+2
dy


dx
16

Integrating with respect to x we have
1
y
c x .
H
W
dx
d
+ =
We have at X =0 0
dx
d
y
=
Substituting 0 = .
H
W
0 +C
C
1
1
=

0
x .
H
W
dx
d
y
=

Integrating with respect to x we get
2
2
C
2
X
.
H
W
Y + =
We have at X=0 Y=0

2
C 0 0 + =

2
C =0

2
X
.
H
W
Y
2
=

At X= 2 / Y =h
Substituting
( )
2
2 /
.
H
W
h
2

=
h 8
W
H
2

=
We have
2
X
.
h 8
w
W
Y
2
2

=

2
2
x
L
h 4
Y =
If A is considered as the origin then
) x L (
L
hx 4
Y
2
=

W
y
L
A B
h
x
17
To fin the tension at any point on the cable:
Tension at any point
T =H Sec
=H
2
Sec
=H
+
2
tan 1

T =H
2
dx
dy
1
|
.
|

\
|
+
To derive an expression for cable profile when it is subjected to horizontal UDL and
supports are at different levels:
General equation for cable profile is
H
W
dx
d
2
2
y
=


Let us consider each part separately we have
H 2
Wx
Y
2
=
At x =-L
1,
( )
H 2
WL
b OR
H 2
L W
b
2
1
2
1
=

=
Y =b
------ (1)

At X =L
2,
H 2
WL
b a
2
2
= +
Y=a +b
------ (2)
2
2
2
1
L
L
b a
b
=
+

( ) b a
b
L
L
2
1
+
=

Add (1) on either side
w
a
L
1
B
b
L
2 y

x
L
1
O
18
1
b a
b
1
L
L
2
1
+
+
= +
( )
( )
) L L L (
b a
b a b
L
L L
2 1
2
2 1
= +
+
+ +
=
+


b a
b a b
L
L
2
+
+ +
=
b a b
b a L
L
2
+ +
+
=

Substituting in (2)
| |
2
2
) b a ( b
) B a ( L
H 2
W
b) (a
+ +
+
= +

( )
2
2
b a b 2
WL
H
+ +
=

Tension at any point is given by
T =H Sec
T =H
2
Sec
T =H
+
2
tan 1

=H

|
.
|

\
|
+
2
dx
dy
1

T =H
2
H
wx
1
|
.
|

\
|
+

Y =
H 2
wx
2


H 2
wx 2
dx
dy
=


To derive an expression for length of the parabolic cable profile when the supports are
at the same level
19

We have ds =
2 2
dy dx +
Ds =dx
2
dy
dx
1
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

When the supports are at the same level we have
2
2
L
hx 4
Y =
2
L
hx 8
dx
dy
=
(taking origin at the center)
ds =dx
4
2 2
L
x h 64 1+


Total length of the cable is given by
L
C
dx
L
x h 64
1 ds

4
2 2 2 /
2 /
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =

=
=2 dx
L
x h 64
1

4
2 2 2 /
0
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=2 dx .. ..........
L
x h 64
2
1
1

4
2 2 2 /
0
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ +

L
C
2 /
0
3
4
2
3
x
L
h 32
x

(

+ =2 (expanding by binomial theorem)

L
C
(

+
24
L
L
h 32
2
L
3
4
2
=2
L
C
L 3
h 8
L
2
+ =

To derive an expression for length of the cable profile when the supports are at
different levels
d
x
d
y
ds

20

L
C
Between A & C +Length of cable between C&B
=Length of cable
L
C
2
1
= Length of cable of span 2L
1
2
1
+ length of cable of span 2L
But L
2

C
( )
(

+
+ +
(

+ =
2
2
2
1
2
1 C
2
L 2
b a
.
3
8
L 2 2 / 1
L 2
b
3
8
L 2
2
1
L e . i
L 3
h 8
=L +

2
2
2
1
2
1
L
) b a (
3
2
L
L
b
3
2
L
+
+ + + =
L
C

=
( )
|
|
.
|

\
| +
+ + +
2
2
1
2
2 1
L
) b a (
L
b
3
2
L L

1) A cable suspends across a gap of 250m and carries UDL of 5kN/m horizontally calculate
the maximum tensions if the maximum sag is
1
/
25
th

of the span. Also calculate the sag at
50m from left end.
We have
T =H
2
dx
dy
1
|
.
|

\
|
+

Take origin as left end
| | x L
L
hx 4
Y
2
=
| | x 2 L
L
h 4
dx
dy
2
=

Tension is maximum at the supports i.e., at X =0 from A
5 kN/m
250 m
A B
h = 250 x
25
1

=10 m
a
L
1
B
b
L
2
c
A
21
| | 0 2 250
250
10 4
dx
dy
2

=
16 . 0
dx
dy
=
kN 25 . 3906
10 8
250 5
h 8
WL
H
2 2
=

= =
kN 93 . 3955 16 . 0 1 25 . 3906 T
2
max
= + =

We have ) x L (
L
hx 4
Y
2
= [x measured from A]
) 50 250 (
250
50 10 4
Y
2


=
m 4 . 6 Y =

2) Determine the length of the cable and max tension developed if the cable supports a load
of 2kN/m on a horizontal span of 300m. The maximum sag is 25m

h 8
WL
H
2
=
25 8
300 2
2

kN 900 H=
2
dx
dy
1 H T
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
| | x L
L
hx 4
Y
2
= [X from A]
| | x 2 L
L
h 4
dx
dy
Y
2
= =

Tension is maximum at the supports i.e., at x =0
( ) 0 2 300
300
25 4
dx
dy
2

=

2 kN/m
300 m
A B
25
22
333 . 0
dx
dy
=
2
max
333 . 0 1 900 T + =
kN 68 . 948 T
max
=
Length of cable L
C
L 3
h 8
L
2
+ =
300 3
25 8
300
2

+
m 55 . 305 L
C
=

3) Determine the maximum span for a mild steel cable between supports at the same level if
the central dip. is
1
/
10th
of the span and permissible stress in steel is 150 N/mm
2
. Steel
weighs 78.6 kN/m
3

. Assume the cable to hang in a parabola.
Here the weight of the cable itself is acting as UDL on the cable. We have SP weight
=
Volume
Wieght


Weight =Specific Weight x Volume
=Specific Weight x Area x Length
Length
Weight
=Specific Weight x Area
m
kN
A 6 . 78
m A
m
kN
6 . 78 W
2
3
=


We have
h 8
WL
H
2
=

L
10
1
8
L A 6 . 78
2



LA 25 . 98 H=

2
dx
dy
1 H T
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
) X L (
L
hx 4
Y
2
=
L
A
23
) x 2 L (
L
h 4
dx
dy
2
=

Tension is maximum at X =0

L
h 4
dx
dy
=
2
max
L
L
10
1
4
1 AL 25 . 98 T
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|

+ =
AL 81 . 105 T
max
=
L 81 . 105
A
T
max
=
L 81 . 105 F
max
=
2
3
2
max
m
kN
10 150
MPa 150
mm
N
150 F
=
=
=

m 63 . 1417 L
L 81 . 105 10 150
3
=
=









Bridges supported by cables

Suspension Bridge
Anchor
cable
24


Anchoring of cables
There are 2 methods by which suspension cable can be anchored:
1) Continuous cable or pulley type anchoring.
2) Non- Continuous cable or saddle type anchoring.

Continuous cable or pulley type anchoring
In this method suspension cable itself passes over roller or guide pulley on the top of
the tower or abutment and then anchored. The tension remains same in the suspension cable
and anchor cable at the supports.



2
A
2
A A
V H T + =

|
|
.
|

\
|
=

A
A 1
H
V
tan

h
t

Tower

B

T
A


T
A



Pulley

Anchor cable

Suspension cable

Abutment

A

T
A


T
A


Harp type Cable stayed Bridge
Fan Type Cable stayed Bridge
25
is the inclination of the suspension cable with the horizontal. Net horizontal force
on tower H
T
=T
A
Cos ~T
A

Cos
Where h
t

is the height of the tower.
2) Saddle type anchoring or Non-continuous cable
In this method of anchoring suspension cable are attached to saddles mounted on
rollers on the top of the tower as result in suspension cable and anchor cable will be differed.
However horizontal components of tension will be equal.


B

T
A


T
a



Anchor cable

Suspension cable

Abutment

26

2
A
2
A A
V H T + =

|
|
.
|

\
|
=

A
A 1
H
V
tan


0 M
h H M
Sin T Sin T V
H Cos T Cos T
t T
a A T
T a A
=
=
+ =
= =


1) A cable of span 150m and dip 15m carries a load of 6 kN/m on horizontal span. Find the
maximum tension for the cable at the supports. Find the forces transmitted to the supported
pier if
(a) Cable is passed over smooth rollers or pulleys over the pier.
(b) Cable is clamped to saddle with smooth rollers resting on the top of the pier.

For each of the above case anchor cable is 30 to horizontal. If the supporting pier is
20m tall. Determine the maximum BM on the pier.




kN 1125
15 8
150 6
h 8
W
H H
2
2
B A
=

=
= =


kN 450
2
150 6
V V
B A
=

= =

8 . 21
1125
450
tan
H
V
tan
kN 66 . 1211 V H T T
0
1
A
A 1
2
A
2
A A max
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
= = = =



6 kN/m
150 m
A B
15 m
V
B

H
B
H
A

V
A

27
Case 1: Cable over smooth pulley

H
T
1211.66 Cos 30
=1211.66 Cos 21.8
=75.73kN
0

V
T
=1211.66 Sin 21.8 +1211.66 Sin 30
0
V

T
M =H
=1055.77kN
T
X h
t
=75.73 X 20 =1513.4kNm


Case 2 : Cable clamped to saddle

Here T
A
= Cos T
a
Cos
1211.66 Cos 21.8 =T
a
T
Cos 30
a
In this case H
1299.05kN
T
M =
=0

0
30 Sin 05 . 1299 8 . 21 Sin 66 . 1211
Sin T Sin T V
a A T
+ =
= =

V
T

=1099.5 kN
3) A Suspension cable is suspended from 2 pier A and B 200m apart, B being 5m below
A the cable carries UDL of 20kN/m and its lowest point is 10m below B. The ends of
the cable are attached to saddles on rollers at the top of the piers and backstays anchor
cables. Backstays may be assumed to be straight and inclined at 60
0

to vertical.
Determine maximum tension in the cable, tension in backstay and thrust on each pier.
Let C be the origin
y
5 m
C
200 m
10 m
20 kN/m
V
A
=2202.05
A
A
=8081.6 kN
L
1
L
2
=110.12 m =89.89 m
x
30
0


T
A
=1211.66 kN

T
a


21.8

Tower

30
0
=

T
A
=1211.66 kN

T
A


=21.8

28
We have
H 2
Wx
Y
2
=

m 10 Y L x At
m 15 Y L x At
2
1
= =
= =


H 2
) L ( w
15
2
1

=

H 2
) L ( w
10
2
2

=

2
2
1
2
L
L
10
15
=


2 1
2
1
L 225 . 1 L
10
15
L
L
=
=


But 200 L2 L1 = +

m 12 . 110 L
m 89 . 89 L
200 L L 225 . 1
1
2
2 2
=
=
= +

=0 F
x


B A
B A
H H
0 H H
=
= +
---- (1)

=0 F
y

4000 V V
B A
= + ---- (2)

=0 M
A


80000 V 40 H
400000 V 200 H 5
0 5 H 200 V 100 200 20
B B
B B
B B
= +
= +
=
---- (3)
30
0


T
A
=8376.26 kN

T
a


15.24

60
0


29

0 M
C
=

212 . 88080 V 989 . 48
212 . 8080 V 989 . 8 H
12 . 80802 V 89 . 89 H 10
0 10 H 89 . 89 V
2
89 . 89
) 89 . 89 20 (
B
B B
B B
B B
=
= +
= +
= +
----- (4)
kN 05 . 2202 V
kN 6 . 8081 H
kN 6 . 8081 H
kN 95 . 1797 V
A
A
B
B
=
=
=
=


Since V
A
>V
B

tension at A is maximum
kN 94 . 9331 T
30 Cos T 24 . 15 Cos 26 . 8376
Cos T Cos T
24 . 15
6 . 8081
05 . 2202
tan
H
V
tan
kN 23 . 8376 T
6 . 8081 05 . 2202
V H T T
a
0
a
a A
1
A
A 1
A
2 2
A
2
A
2
A max
=
=
=
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
=
+ =
+ = =

30
kN 77 . 6867 V
30 Sin 94 . 9331 24 . 15 Sin 26 . 8376
Sin T Sin T V
T
a A T
=
+ =
+ =