FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PAHANG
LABORATORY MANUAL

COURSE

BASIC STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS LABORATORY

COURSE CODE

ECS258

LEVEL OF OPENNESS

CATEGORY

TRADITIONAL

DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED (%)

PERIOD OF ACTIVITY

1 WEEK (WEEK 9)

TITLE

SUSPENSION CABLE SYSTEM

1.1 Introduction
The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities (assigned as Level 0)
will not be able to provide the avenue for students to enhance independent
learning activities and inculcate creativity and innovation. The traditional method is
fully prescriptive where the three elements namely problem, ways & means and
answers are provided/fully given to the students. However, it is still necessary to
be implemented as part of the whole laboratory course activity especially to first
and second year students.
In this laboratory activity students will be exposed to the apparatus and the
procedures to carry out experiment on a suspension cable system.
1.2 Objective
To determine the relationship between applied load and the tensile force in
the suspension cable.
PREAMBLE

1.3 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:
1. Identify and use the correct apparatus/tools to carry out experiment on
suspension bridge.
2. Analyse the collected data correctly and present in proper technical format
3. Work in a group to undertake the task and produce the technical report.
1.4 Theoretical Background
The suspension cable must be anchored at each end of the bridge, since any load
applied to the bridge is transformed into a tension in these main cables. The main
cables continue beyond the pillars to deck-level supports and further continue to
connections with anchors in the ground. The main forces in a suspension bridge
are tension in the main cables and compression in the pillars. The following
formula is needed to analyse your results:

FKA, UiTM, PAHANG

Dec 2015

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PAHANG
LABORATORY MANUAL
2-Hinged Stiffened Girder:
Maximum tension in the cable occurs at the support:

Where; W = The magnitude of the UDL (N/m)

L = The bridge deck span (m)
d = The dip of the cable (m)
2.0 Problem Statement
PROBLEM
STATEMENT

Students are required to determine the relationship between applied load and the
tensile force in the suspension cable.
3.1 Apparatus
Suspension Bridge

Figure 9.1: Suspension Bridge Set-up

Cable stopper, Load cells, Digital force display

3.2 Procedures
WAYS &
MEANS

.Experiment: 2-Hinged Stiffened Girder

FKA, UiTM, PAHANG

1. Check the profile for the bridge to be tested and where necessary set
the cable position as detailed in the Figure 9.2.

Dec 2015

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PAHANG
LABORATORY MANUAL

Figure 9.2: 2-Hinged Stiffened Girder Set-up

2. Remove the two support pier so that it is not in contact with the bridge
deck.
3. Switch on the digital display unit.
4. Check the cable stopper to make sure that there is no gap between
the stopper and the horizontal member. Tightened the screw on the
stopper to prevent it from sliding during loading.
5. Connect the load cells to the digital display each load cell occupying 1
channel of the display.
6. Record the initial reading of each load cell.
7. Place a uniformly distributed load on the bridge deck and wait until
the digital display reading remain constant.
8. Record the magnitude of the uniformly distributed load and the
reading of each load cell.
9. Increase the magnitude of the uniformly distributed load and repeat
step 7 to 9.
10. Preferably repeat the above experiment to obtain the average
readings of the measured values.

3.3 Data Acquisition

All data collected from the tests may be recorded into the following tables.
Experiment 2 a: 2-Hinged Stiffened Girder
Span of Bridge
Dip

FKA, UiTM, PAHANG

: 1040 mm
: 162 mm

Dec 2015

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PAHANG
LABORATORY MANUAL
Table 9.1: The experimental case data

UDL, w
(N/m)

Cable Tension at Support (N)

Left Pulley
Right Pulley
Load Cell
Actual
Load Cell
Actual
Reading
Tension
Reading
Tension

Actual tension in cable = Current reading Initial reading (ie. Reading at 0

load)
Table 9.2: The experimental and theoretical case data
UDL, w
(N/m)

Cable Tension at Support (N)

Left Pulley
Right Pulley
Experimental
Theoretical
Experimental
Theoretical

4.0 Results, Analysis and Conclusion

The group is required to submit the technical report of the laboratory results
highlighting the data acquisition process, analysis carried out and the relevancy of
the set-out output to achieve the objective.

RESULTS

Using data in Table 9.1 and Table 9.2, plot the graph of cable tension against load
for the experimental and theoretical case. Draw the best fit curve to pass through
the plotted points. Calculate the percentage error between theoretical and
experimental result.
The report must incorporate the followings:
i.

All data recorded must be tabulated in the given form provide and the
graph plotted on the graph.
ii. Any calculation must be clearly shown.
iii. Discuss on the results and state your conclusion
The report must be submitted 7 days after the completion of the test.

FKA, UiTM, PAHANG

Dec 2015