5. CABLES
The chapter discusses the mechanics of cables and their response to loads, detailing the concept of funicular polygons, the effects of uniform loads, and the differences in behavior under distributed loads vs. specific configurations. It illustrates the mathematical relationships involved in cable tension and deformation under various forces while providing practical examples for calculation and understanding.
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Sections
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What we have learnt
- Cables primarily transmit tensile forces and resist vertical loads through sagging.
- The horizontal component of tension in cables remains constant when only vertical loads are applied.
- Cables shaped under uniform loads can form parabolic shapes and are influenced by their own weight, leading to complex tension calculations.
Key Concepts
- -- Funicular Polygon
- A geometric figure representing the shape a cable takes when subjected to loads, characterized by a series of linear segments.
- -- Tension (T)
- The pulling force transmitted along the length of a cable, which can be decomposed into horizontal and vertical components.
- -- Sag (h)
- The vertical distance a cable deflects from its support points under loading, essential for determining the shape and tension within a cable.
- -- Catenary
- The curve a flexible cable assumes under its own weight when supported at its ends, differing from the parabola which describes the shape under uniform load.
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