Name: finding tension in a loaded cable
Uploaded: 2023-09-22T11:49:27.000Z
Duration: 1 min 28 s
Channel: JoVE

Flexible cables are used for support and load transmission in various applications.
Consider a cable AB&#160; fixed at two points, experiencing multiple vertical concentrated loads.
Determine the shape of the cable and the tension in each portion of the cable, knowing the horizontal distances between the loads and support.
For analysis, the cable is assumed to be flexible, inextensible, and have negligible weight.
The cable consists of several straight-line segments, each subjected to constant tensile force.
Draw a free-body diagram of the cable to determine the reaction forces at supports. Here, the number of unknown reaction components exceeds the equilibrium equations.
Consider point D on the cable at a known distance and draw a free-body diagram of segment AD. By using the moment equilibrium equation at point D, an additional equation is obtained.
By recalling the equilibrium equations and using the reaction forces, the vertical distance between support A to each concentrated load is obtained.
Similarly, the tension in each segment can be obtained, which is maximum when the segment has the largest inclination angle.

cable subjected to concentrated loads

Flexible cables are commonly used in various applications for support and load transmission. Consider a cable fixed at two points and subjected to multiple vertically concentrated loads. Determine the shape of the cable and the tension in each portion of the cable, given the horizontal distances between the loads and supports.
<img alt="static equilibrium diagram; forces and tensions on a cable with weights; physics mechanics analysis" src="/files/ftp_upload/14307/14307_Figure_1v2.svg" style="text-align: center; height: 350px;" data-altupdatedat="1761830439000" data-alt="Figure 1">
For the analysis, the cable is assumed to have the following properties:
<ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha;">
	<li>Flexible, allowing it to change shape under the influence of applied loads.</li>
	<li>Inextensible, meaning its length does not change under tension.</li>
	<li>A negligible weight that implies that the cable's self-weight does not significantly impact its behavior.</li>
</ol>
The cable consists of several straight-line segments, with each segment subjected to a constant tensile force. In order to determine the reaction forces at the supports, a free-body diagram of the cable can be drawn. However, in the given case, the number of unknown reaction components typically exceeds the number of available equilibrium equations. An additional equation is required. Consider point D on the cable at a known distance from the supports to obtain an additional equation. By drawing a free-body diagram of segment AD and using the moment equilibrium equation at point D, another equation that helps solve the system can be derived.
<img alt="Static equilibrium formula; equation showing force balance in mechanical systems." src="/files/ftp_upload/14307/14307_Equation_1v2.svg" style="text-align: center; height: 13px;" data-altupdatedat="1761830439000" data-alt="Equation 1">
The vertical distance from support A to each concentrated load can be determined with the known reaction forces. This can be achieved by recalling the equilibrium equation, which states that the sum of the vertical forces acting on the cable must equal zero. Once the vertical distances have been determined, the tension in each cable segment can be calculated. The tension is at its maximum when the segment has the largest inclination angle.
<img alt="Static equilibrium formula, Tcosθ−Ax=0, equations for force balance analysis." src="/files/ftp_upload/14307/14307_Equation_2v2.svg" style="text-align: center; height: 13px;" data-altupdatedat="1761830439000" data-alt="Equation 2">
<img alt="Static equilibrium equation, diagram, Tsinθ=Ay−F1, physics, vector forces analysis" src="/files/ftp_upload/14307/14307_Equation_3v2.svg" style="text-align: center; height: 13px;" data-altupdatedat="1761830439000" data-alt="Equation 3">

Cable Subjected to Concentrated Loads

Flexible cables are commonly used in various applications for support and load transmission. Consider a cable fixed at two points and subjected to ...

Education

JoVE Core

Mechanical Engineering

Unit 1

Internal Forces

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

finding tension in a loaded cable

Flexible cables can carry vertical point loads between two fixed supports. The cable is treated as flexible, inextensible, and nearly weightless. Under these conditions, it changes shape to form straight-line segments, and each segment carries a constant tensile force.

To analyze the cable, a free-body diagram is drawn for the whole cable. This helps identify the reaction forces at the supports. In many cases, the number of unknown reaction components is greater than the available equilibrium equations, so an extra equation is needed.

A point such as D, at a known distance from the supports, can provide that extra equation. By isolating segment AD and taking moments about point D, another equilibrium relation is obtained. The vertical distance from support A to each concentrated load can then be found from the reaction forces. Using the condition that the sum of the vertical forces on the cable equals zero, the remaining cable geometry can be determined.

Once the vertical distances are known, the tension in each cable segment can be calculated. The tension changes from segment to segment because the cable slope changes. The tension is largest in the segment with the greatest inclination angle.

Finding Tension in a Loaded Cable

sign convention

Beam Forces: Tension, Shear, and Bending

Beam analysis depends on the internal forces and moments inside a structure. These include normal force, shear force, and bending moment. Engineers use the method of sections to cut the beam and find these values. A sign convention helps show whether each result is positive or negative. Normal force acts perpendicular to the beam’s cross-section. It can pull the material in tension or push it in compression. Tension is taken as positive, while compression is taken as negative. This makes it...

normal and shear force

Beam Loads and Internal Forces

Beam loads create internal forces inside a structure. Weight, pressure, and other external forces can all act on a beam. These internal forces affect the beam’s stability and strength. Engineers study these forces to find their size and direction. A common approach is the method of sections. In this method, an imaginary cut is made at a chosen point on the beam, and the forces at that section are analyzed. One internal force is the normal force, also called the axial force. It acts...

bending and torsional moments

Forces That Bend and Twist Materials

Bending and torsional moments describe how materials respond to force. These ideas are important in structural engineering because they help explain how beams, rulers, and screws change shape under load. A moment depends on both the size of the force and the distance from the point of interest to the force’s line of action. A bending moment forms when an external force makes a structural element bend. If the element bends upward, the top side is in compression and the bottom side is in tension.

internal loadings in structural members: problem solving

internal-loadings-in-structural-members-problem-solving

Beam Internal Force Analysis at Point A

Beam internal force analysis shows how normal force, shear force, and bending moment act inside a structural member. These internal loadings help engineers check whether a beam can support the external forces applied to it. The example uses a beam OC that weighs 5 kN and is inclined at 53.13° with the horizontal. The beam is supported at both ends. The goal is to find the internal loadings at point A. The first step is to find the reaction force at point C. This is done by taking the moment...

beams

Beam Types and Support Conditions

Beams are key parts of structural engineering and construction. They support loads that act at different points along their length. Engineers use beam shape and support conditions to understand how a beam will perform. Beams can be classified by geometry. Straight beams are the most common and have a constant cross-section along their length. Tapered beams change in cross-section from one end to the other, while curved beams have a curved shape. Beam cross-section also matters. Common shapes...

shear diagram

Beam Shear Force Diagram

Beam shear force diagrams show how shear changes along the length of a supported beam. In beam mechanics, they help students track the internal shear force caused by perpendicular loads. The beam AB in this example is supported at both ends, so the first step is to draw a free-body diagram that shows the external forces and internal reactions. The reaction forces at supports A and B are found with equilibrium equations for force and moment. For the beam shown, the vertical reaction at A is 24...

bending moment diagram

Beam Load Analysis with Moment Diagrams

Beam load analysis uses a bending moment diagram to show how bending changes along the length of a beam. This diagram helps engineers and designers check whether a structure can handle applied forces. It is also useful for parts such as shelving arms, which must resist forces and moments from a load. To build the diagram, start by finding the reactive forces and any couple moments on the beam. In some cases, especially when a beam is inclined, these forces must be resolved into components that...

relation between the distributed load and shear

relation-between-the-distributed-load-and-shear

Shear Change Under Distributed Loading

Shear force changes along a beam under a distributed load. In structural analysis, this relationship helps explain how beams respond to loading conditions that also include concentrated loads and a couple moment. To study the link, consider a small beam section that has no concentrated load or couple moment on it. Draw a free-body diagram for that elemental section. It includes the distributed load along the beam, the shear force V(x) on the right-hand side of the cut, and a small added shear...

relation between the shear and bending moment

relation-between-the-shear-and-bending-moment

Shear and Moment Diagrams in Beam Loads

Shear and moment diagrams help show how a beam responds to loads. A beam can carry a distributed load, concentrated loads, and a couple moment. These loads create internal shear forces and bending moments. The beam is examined by isolating a small elemental section and drawing a free-body diagram. For that section to stay in equilibrium, the moment on the right side must be slightly larger than the moment on the left side. The distributed load also has a resultant force that acts at a...

shear and bending moment diagram: problem solving

shear-and-bending-moment-diagram-problem-solving

Beam Load Analysis with Shear Diagrams

Beam load analysis uses shear and bending moment diagrams to track the internal forces in a beam. These diagrams are important when a beam carries concentrated loads and a distributed load. They help show how the beam responds so structures can be designed safely and efficiently. The first step is to draw a free-body diagram of the whole beam. A free-body diagram shows the concentrated loads, the distributed load, and the reaction forces at the supports. Use the equilibrium equations, where...

Flexible cables can carry vertical point loads between two fixed supports. The cable is treated as flexible, inextensible, and nearly weightless. Under these conditions, it changes shape to form straight-line segments, and each segment carries a constant tensile force. To analyze the cable, a free-body diagram is drawn for the whole cable. This helps identify the reaction forces at the supports. In many cases, the number of unknown reaction components is greater than the available equilibrium...

cable subjected to a distributed load

Finding Cable Shape Under Distributed Load

Cable shape under a distributed load is found by analyzing the forces along a small piece of the cable. This method is important in suspension bridge design because the main cables must carry changing loads safely. The load causes the tensile force in the cable to change, and it also creates cable deformation. The analysis starts with a free-body diagram of a short cable segment. The diagram shows the distributed load and the change in tensile force across that segment. Equilibrium equations...

cable subjected to its own weight

Cable Sag Under Its Own Weight

Overhead power transmission cables sag under their own weight, and that shape affects how they carry electricity across long distances. To study this behavior, the cable is analyzed with a generalized loading function. This function treats the load along the cable's arc length instead of its projected length, which gives a more accurate picture of the cable's response. The analysis then focuses on a small cable segment. A free-body diagram is drawn to show the forces acting on that segment.

cable: problem solving

Cable Tension Under Uniform Loading

Cable tension under uniform loading is found by analyzing a cable fixed between two supports. The problem starts with the support conditions and the load on the cable. From there, the cable’s shape must be described with an equation that matches the curve formed by the load. The next step is to integrate the shape equation to get the cable’s shape function. This makes it possible to solve for constants in the equation. The boundary condition at the origin gives one constant. The slope, which...

key terms and concepts

Learn how to analyze a flexible cable with vertical concentrated loads, use equilibrium and moments to find support reactions, cable shape, and segment tension.

Finding Tension in a Loaded Cable | JoVE K12

JoVE Core Mechanical Engineering offers concise, easy-to-understand animated videos covering key topics such as equilibrium, forces, truss analysis, and structural mechanics. Explore their real-world applications, and witness these concepts in action through scientist-led experiments.

mechanical engineering

Finding Tension in a Loaded Cable

Description

Transcript

Tags