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∑ √𝐼𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑒𝑟𝑜
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PROBLEM TRUSS CONNECTED TO a) Reaction forces at the cable.

CATENARY CABLE

The system shown in the figure is made up of a

catenary cable FG supported by a truss jointed at
its left end. The parameter of the catenary is
equal to 6 meters and its weight per unit of
length is 1 kN/m. Additionally, it is known that
points F and G are at the same height, while the
horizontal distance between them is 6 meters.
To
a= → To = 6.1 = 6 kN
In the truss, A and D are pin supports. The p
height of points F and G is the same. The system
x 3
is loaded by the set of forces listed on the figure. y = a cosh ( ) = 6 cosh ( ) = 6.76 m
Every geometric measure is expressed in meters. a 6
With all this information, determine: 𝐓𝐦𝐚𝐱 = p. ymax = 𝟔, 𝟕𝟔 𝐤𝐍

a) Maximum and minimum tension at the

2
𝐓𝐲 = √Tmax − To2 ≅ 𝟑, 𝟏𝟏𝐤𝐍
catenary cable.

b) Length of the catenary b) Length of the cable:

c) Internal normal forces at stretches AB, BD, s = √y 2 − a2 = 3.11 m

CD and CF.
𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐭 = 𝟐. 𝐬 = 𝟔. 𝟐𝟐 𝐦
d) Maximum value of continuous distributed
load q along stretch DF in order to avoid Verification of value Ty and s:
exceeding 1 kN.m bending moment at
x 3
stretch BD. s = a. sinh ( ) = 6. sinh ( ) ≅ 3.11 m
a 6
e) Safety coefficient of the structure,
p. stot 1 kN⁄m . 6.76 m
considering that it is made up of a circular Ty = = ≅ 3.11 kN
cross section of radius equal to 15 mm, and 2 2
its material has a maximum allowable stress c) Method of the joints:
of 150 MPa for compressive and tensile state.
Node sequence: F→C→B
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NCF √2
∑ Fy = 0 → 10.9 + 1 − NBD = 0
2
6
𝐍𝐁𝐃 = 𝟖. 𝟕 𝐤𝐍 (𝐓)
NEF
3.11

√2
∑ Fy = 0 → N − 3,11 = 0 → 𝐍𝐂𝐅 = 𝟒, 𝟒 𝐤𝐍 (𝐓)
2 CF

√2
∑ Fx = 0 → N + NEF = 6 → NEF = 2.89 kN (T)
2 CF

NEC = 0 kN

NED = NEF = 2.89 kN (T)

d) Maximum q at stretch BD
q L L 2L
∑ MB = 0 → FA . L − ( ) ( + ) = 0
2 2 2 32

5qL
FA =
24
√2 √2 qL
∑ Fy = 0 → NCD + 1 + 4.4 = 0 ∑ Fy = 0 → FA + FB =
2 2 4
𝐍𝐂𝐃 = 𝟓. 𝟖𝟏 𝐤𝐍 (𝐂) qL
FB =
24
√2 √2
∑ Fx = 0 → N − NBC + 4.4 = 0
2 CD 2

NBC = 7.21 kN (C)

5qL/24 qL/24

√2
∑ Fx = 0 → − N + 7.22 + 0.5 = 0
2 AB q(x) = q(1 − x)
𝐍𝐀𝐁 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟗 𝐤𝐍 (𝐓) x2
VT (x) = q (x − )
2
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x2 x3
MT (x) = q ( − )
2 6

5q x2 q
V(x) = − q (x − ) = (x 2 − 2x + 0.833)
24 2 2

5qx x2 x3 q
M(x) = − q ( − ) = (x 3 − 3x 2 + 2.5x)
24 2 6 6

dM(x)
Mmax → = V(x) = 0 → x = 0.59
dx

Mmax = M(x = 0.59) = 0.106q= 1 kN. m

𝐪 = 𝟗. 𝟒𝟑 𝐤𝐍/𝐦

e) Safety coefficient.
N 10900
σ= = = 15.42 MPa
A π. R2
σmax 150
SC = = = 𝟗. 𝟕𝟐
σcalculated 15.42