catenary

If I remember correctly from my freshman calculas class nearly 20 years ago a catenary is a function of the hyperbolic cosine. Should be easy enough to plot out. y=a*cosh(x/a) where a is a constant.

I would assume if you have an actual physical application in use that you can compare you mathematical model in SWX to experimentaly determine "a" for your rope, chain or cable.

I believe it is more complicated than that. I want to model a sag of a wire from a high point to a low connection point. The initial tension, length of wire, distance between connections, elevation difference of the connections and weight/unit length of the wire become important.

thanks

Richard

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catenary "power transmission" OR "cable"

Hi, I'm just reading a book I got called "Towing Icebergs, Falling dominoes, and other adventures in applied mathematics" by Robert B Banks. (doesn't take much to keep me happy) It includes some of the math on the Gateway Arch in Saint Louis which is an "inverted catenary" designed by Eero Saarinen. I think you can use the math before he flipped it over.

Anyway I can scan and email the few relevant pages if you wish: bob at rbhope dot ca cheers, Bob - Toronto

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