Cable under dead-weight

Free-hanging cables and ropes are often used to support a structure, such as stay cables. On suspension bridges they are the load-bearing element of the structure. In many calculations the influence of the dead-weight of the cable can be ignored, because it is low compared to the other loads. In the case of overhead power lines, however, the dead-weight of the cable is relevant to the design of the pylons.

• determination of the catenary of a free-hanging cable
• symmetrical and unsymmetrical experimental setup possible
• roller chain as cable with 2 ball bearing-mounted chain wheels
• adjustable chain wheel axle spacing
• height of a chain wheel adjustable for unsymmetrical experimental setup
• cross-arm with scale to hold chain wheels and rule to measure vertical sag of chain
• 2 hangers to load the ends of the chain
• storage system to house the components
• experimental setup in frame