ag and Tension C cu lations ror

ships between sags, tensions, and cable

lengths
which are applicable not only to
copper, copper-coated-steel, and steel
cables, but also to problems involving
composite cables, which information can-

wa le ana W Ire Jpans using

Catenary ormu as
JOHN F. NASH

not be secured by graphic methods alone.

The following text gives the basic

catenaryformulas,
the derivations thereof, and an

explanation of the procedure

followed in actual sag calculations.

JOHN F. NASH, JR.

MEMBER AIEE

The basic formulas of the catenary are

shown on Figure 1.

The nomenclature
used in this figure is as follows:

NONMEMBER AIEE

IT IS generally agreed that, in order

to obtain accurate solutions of sag and
tension problems involved in stringing
electric power line conductors, it is necessary to use catenary formulas. The basic
formulas are, of course, well known In
order to utilize them, however, a great
amount of laborious calculating is required. Certain short cuts in these calculations have been evolved, notably by
James S. Martin whose published tables
and method have proved of great help to
engineers in simplifying sag calculations.
In connection with the design and con-

struction of transmission lines in the

mountainous Appalachian region the writers have evolved a method of making
mathematically exact sag and tension calculations based on catenary formulas
which is quite different from the Martin

method, and which eliminates the trial- X and Y - Cartesian co-ordinates of any
point in the catenary curve, desigand-error assumptions involved in a pornated point B
tion of the Martin method. The working
formulas used by the writers require only Z = length of catenary from the vertex A
to point B
simple arithmetical calculations which can
be handled by clerical personnel usually S = the deflection of the vertex A below any
point B which may be under conavailable in the engineering office. The
calculations are not laborious, and can be
sideration
V = vertical distance from the axis of abeasily checked.
scissas of the catenary to the vertex A
The writers' method not only develops
the sags, tensions, and conductor lengths A = vertex of the catenary curve
for the various final and initial conditions e = base of the Naperian or natural system
of logarithms equals 2.71828
of the design span (basic or ruling span),
but also similar data for span lengths other
These formulas are well known and need

Worman and H. H. Rodee.

than the ruling span.

The procedure outlined is applicable to
any cable or wire whose modulus of elasticity and coefficient of expansion are uniform throughout the cross section, such
as is the case with copper, copper-coatedsteel, or steel cables. Sag and tension
problems for composite cables such as
aluminum cables steel reinforced, are
usually solved by graphic methods based
on stress-strain curves developed from
laboratory tests on the particular cable
under consideration.
The writers'' method does, however
develop previously unpublished relation-

where

C-(Oj-O,)mI/(m2- mI)

Paper 45-144, recommended by the AIEE committee on power transmission and distribution for
publication in AIEE TRANSACTIONS. Manuscript
submitted February 23, 1945; made available for

NASg

JOHN F.
is electrical engineer with the Appalachian Electric Power Company, Bluefield,
W. Va.; JOHN F. NASH, JR., is a student at Carnegie

Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, Pa.

.
The authors acknowledge the assistance of T. H
H.

Thetiauthors aecknowledgePittsburghePassista

6,= (1,+Rh)q+ T

(38)

(41)

tion 39 the solution to the differential equation

17 becomes

0Y=.cemst+c2e+m21+0p

V=

The boundary conditions that must be

satisfied are

M2-ml

do0

Harper, W. B. Brown. National Advisory Coin

for Aeronautics Report 158, 1922.
~~~~~~~~~~~~mittee

dl

=-0,

HH:AT FLOW IN TURTBINH-GE:NHRATOR ROTORS,

C.
Peck. section,
volume 53,
AIEE TRANSACTIONS,
1934,E. Octber
ages

2.

3.

when t= in
If tittedin
these boundary
are substiqutio 39conditions
te vlueofcl
nd 2
can be determined
Cs = (Ot-Oj)mS/(m2-ms)

OCTOBER 1945, VOLUME 64

(40)

i359-6'

HEAT TRANSMISSION (second edition), W H.

York, N. Y., 1942. Pages 220-44.

LAG OPI9Nstrumnts,
THERMOMETERS,
4.Brad1ford
ETM Noyes.
IN{DUSTRIALvdolsuomfe
5, Novem-

5. TEER BASIC LAWS AND DATA OP HEAT TRANSMISSION, W. J. King. Mechanical Engineering,
April-May issues, 1932.

In catenary spans the values of V, Y,

5 and Z bear definite relationships to
each other expressed by the basic formulas, A, B, and C. When these formulas
are divided by X, unit value formulas

result as follows:

1. MATHBMATICAL EQUATIONS FOR HEAT CONDIJCTHE FINS OF AI-COOLED ENGINES, D. R.

and
Os,

(18)

TION IN

0t

when

SM2e,jt-m,eM29j+0

References

0V=0j

and

ports.

Finally putting c, and c2 back into equa- Unit Values of Catenary Functions

therefore the general solution tetequation

to eqaln
17 is

(39)

no proof of derivation. Formula A determines the shape of the catenary curve

which shape depends on the V function.
Formula B determines the length of the
curve which depends on the same V
function. It will be shown later that the
value of V depends on the cable tension
at the span vertex, and the value of Y
depends on the total tension in the cable.
The sag is Y- V (formula C) which can
be expressed in terms of the V value and
span length (formula D).
Referring to Figure 1 note that point B
is a cable support, X the horizontal distance from the vertex (low point of sag)
to support, and Z the cable length from
vertex to support. S is the sag of the
cable below its support, or the span sag
in problems with equal elevation sup-

Nash, Nash-Sag and Tension Calculations

Y/X = V/X cosh X/V

ZX Sn* h X/ V

SIX

(Y/X) -(v/X)

Related unit values of V/X, Y/X, SIX,

and Z/X are tabulated in Table I, which

values can be applied to any length span,
e

al.We

rSi

known for any span the other values are

quicklytable
determined
interpolation.
These
values are by
derived
from tenthese valueslhavethe csame taccurac asd

thesie
vanducshav tabes TableIccvaluesa
tesn n ohtbe.TbeIvle

TRANSACTIONS 685

,I'~ ~maybewritn:

eliminate laborious calculations and provide speed and accuracy in solving sag and
tension problems.

OKE&BwIND

Nomenclature

The following text explains the additional formulas, derived from the basic

catenary characteristics, which are used

in this procedure.
Let the following nomenclature be
used:
I= horizontal span length between supports
L = catenary arc length of the span
T tension (total) in cable
F =horizontal longitudinal component of
tension in cable. It will be seen from

W =

formulas given hereinafter that F

equals T at the span vertex
horizontal loading per foot of cable
due to wind pressure on cable (cable
only or cable with ice loading)
vertical

loading

LOADING

CATENARY DATA SHEET- N i

8.
13ASIC SPAN2OOO
AND COORODNAiE fIJNcTIo LENGtN TeNS,os HoLON
XAG

TMPERATURE rAH
F fbi CODE

Additional Formulas and

CABLE

per foot of cable due

to weight of cable (cable only or

cable with ice loading)

R = resultant loading per foot of cable due
to horizontal and vertical loading
ZE = elongation of Z (not permanent
stretch) due to loading
ZT = change in length of Z due to tempera-

ture change*

y
3
9
i ".

l2(I)

CODE

12(6)

11(6)

2e0)

19(10

24ff1/
7(E4 J
13(7)
32 UNSTRESSED ag/
7o lot. .3
I
CODE
6O-UNSTRESSED 07rox
CODE
9(6) J
I(s)
11(9)
X- UNSTRESSED 72.2 2iJ3 7 lot7<
d1- VNSTRESSED
CODE

CODE

f 2 zt lo ./5
CODE
zJ(21I1,IW
?27
.
/02.
6-CABLE OWLY 2652,6 4
CODE
29C22) 22Q..13,140
G
30(22J
32- CABLE ONLY 20OA'o
2@3) 23(41416I
Fnva1 CODE 33(
ONLY
9I3/ 21
/oa
a
fIIoJ CODE 36(
3S(7
/0 . 41
s6 CA-BLE ONLY U35y.3 12 2f.
,19,
i
i
3(2)
Fi*5)
. ai
126-CABLE
z42In
PrLY

26-UNsrRESSE

FKr7&I

60dCA8LE

co

'n

e&

COO

1|2

TR) NGN

CODE
3ilnST N47G____
6S1l
6- CTR
ODNGIG
i

3-

RINGING

RN GIN

55 .t3

so~~~a-STRINGING
,IN
ln)rMa CODE -65)

a = cross-section area of cable

M = modulus of elasticity of cable
C coefficient of linear expansion per de-

1i6-STRINGING

d = temperature change in degrees

ku = unit permanent set of cable due to

UL.nMATE SMEN6Gni, LOS.

gree temperature change

kt

loading
total permanent set of cable due to

loading

The additional formulas are set out and

explained in the following:
1=2X (when both supports are at
the same elevation) (E)
Refer to appendix for the relationship of
1 to x where span supports are at unequal

elevations.

\ /
\

~2
B>T
\S

\ A /
xX.
vt

0 y

X-*

/I
1 'f

Lx

Figure 1. The catenary and its basic formulas

Y=(V/2XEx/v+C-X/V)
Y= V cosh

X/V

Z-(V/2XEX/V_>-EX/V)

(AA)

(A)

(BB)

Z=V sinh X/V

(C)

S= Y- V
S =V (cosh
686

(B)

X/V-~1)

TRANSACTIONS

(D)

o3

41(27)G

8z-Z
z
4/A(26)
0
/o/d .

/ .3.12
42(30)6 4ZA(Z9)H 31(30
10
29
42 SOG0S
42o9V.

433(J33) Cz

A4

6509100.3. I

9(G

4A0

9
4

-Z

.o65

$K
< 72-4

2.

3
.

__S
6|___
_ _
206

lo .21
/0

+ 16 0a5 /o..Et.
63&)
22

34(3-32)

4 20 I.45.C

46(ZI)K 6 5232
___J
_
1
/9 Al1 oIu29

K,0
244o-43)

S52

51)46)
57

_______2

2 s

ff-43.

LOADIN6- POUNOS PER FOOT OF CABLE

ICE
VERTICAL CABLE' ONLY
CROSS SECTION, SQ INCHES.
.3fL
40OULUSOF ELAST1CI7Y Mild, VERrICAL CABLE Wg7J JCEE
CO-EFF. OF LINEAR EXPANSIONSI
HORIIZ.ONTA. 8LB.SWiND -;ICE Q4*.
CABLE C4ARAC-rEnISTrCS

RE.SULTANT,B LB JINID

L=2Z (supports at the same ele-

F= VR
(H)
The horizontal longitudinal component of
tension in a cable is equal to the V function
times the per-foot cable loading. In problems without wind pressure, F= VW.
This formula shows that the V function
used in the catenary function is proportional
to the tension at the cable vertex.

vation) (F)
Refer to appendix for relationship of L
to Z where span supports are at unequal
(G)

The tension in a cable at any point is equal

to the Y co-ordinate at that point times the
per foot loading of the cable. In problems
without wind pressure, T= YW.
This formula is due to a certain peculiarity
of the catenary. The tension in a cable at
any point in a span is equal to the loading
On a piece of cable of the length of the function Y at that point in the span. If the
were
to be perfectly
cable, inassumed
in
any point
pulley at flexible,
a frictionless
hung
the span with a length of cable hanging
down just sufficient to reach the axis of the

Since Y= V+S (from formula C) formula G

T=(V+S)R

Therefore:

T-F+SR

cable
in a longitension
that the
indicatesis equal
This
to the
horizontal
a support
at
tudinal component of tension plus the product of the sag times the per foot cable load-

ing. This relationship holds with spans

Y co-ordinate, the curve of the catenary

would be undisturbed.
tin's tables.)

(Reference: Mar-

The formula shows that the Y function used

in the catenary formulas is proportional to
the total tension in the cable.

Nash,

NVash-

At the low point of sag (vertex) Y= V

(refer to formula A) and T= F so that substitutions in formula just given produces the
one which follows.

Figure 2

elevations.
T= YR

0 6 J

IA)H

4'2)

62,3,

which have supports at the same or at unelevations provided S is taken as the

deflection of the vertex below the support in
question. This formula provides a quick
determination of tension increase at sup-

~~~~~~~equal

Sag and Tension Calculations

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

manent set to be used in calculating

CATENARY DATA SHEET- NG 2

BASIC SPN
7L
12.D- Ci e

CABLE2O8.

LOADNG AND
TEMPERATURE FAHRQ

LENGTH

SPAN

oJo

2op

stringing sags and tensions.

KT=KuZ

(K)

16800 iQ2i6.

~ .M...... _.e.. 754 /31.2, tQa~Q Problem Solution Procedure

The authors recently designed and
/30
d
CAB E ONLY
/l l2 - '7336L'90-<7
an 88-kv transmission line located in
built
3 &1S.i,
7fL/L
e.
GGI
IL
I3.2
|CASL
13212
ONLY
IsS-C8LE ONLY 414r
2
i .t1 g7f<f /3. 9w 120e7 Imountain country. The sag and tension
.j~-8~WIND

4-

1E- 8>B

.oO .....3,9

2---l

d. o8
_t12L

3o

d- STRANGING

I S. oZ

i:
/i.7Z
&L O . L0[. L LL

W- STRING ING
90d-STR11NrING
zd- SRINGING

3ff.tRi..

||6

z
.

__ :
_N_
8W
cE6

20-C4BLE ONLY

-Z_

-_-

Leh2 .2fa .
.2!es.. O.LL
ausLL. 1h&fi4.

--

Lf..6.L. &LZL

-.do

_.

4'- STRINGIG
_________________

3?STRINGING

60'sTRiNGING

-~.......

-I..-

3.-CABLE ONLY
60-CABLE ONLY
Sd .8EOL

:257

2f

3f

-____

~eLt&
2
S=.tz
IZd'- STRINGING
_______________ ______

N______ ____-

ablnable
ctitem.

Effect in Change of Loading

Elongation of Z (not permanent
stretch) due to cable loading is determined
by formula I.
(I)
ZE = (R/2aM) (X V+ YZ)
This formula is ably developed in the

Martin method of sag and tension calculations Under conditions of no wind

W replaced R in this formula.
Note the following variations in
formula I.
ZER= (R VX+R YZ)/2aM

Therefore:
ZE = (FX+ TZ)/2aM

no key letter is shown the value is ob_tained by using Table I. S values result
from subtracting V from Y.
Data sheet number 1, shown in Figure
2, covers calculations for the basic (ruling)
span where X is constant. Data sheet
I~umber 2, shown in Figure 3, covers calculations for other length spans related
to the basic span where X varies with the
_____
span length, but the V value for each

____

While the data sheets are largely self__explanatory the steps in problem solution
are further explained in the following para-

_______

graphs

_______

Figure 3
SolvetheforV sag
by using
is theTdble
in VIX
same I,V remembering
value occurthat
ring for the basic span under similar loading
conditions. The related S/X value multiplied by one-half the span produces the sag

value

original

lengtha

the

coefficient of

original length, the coefficient of expansion, and the degrees temperature variation.
expan-

Determination of Permanent Stretch

The following procedure is suggested
for securing the permanent set (in Z) due
to loading previously unstressed cables.
First determine loaded stress in cable as
follows:

Stress (at support) = T/a

=
+
Effectof
Temprature ChangeStress (san

(I-1)

1. Tabulate the cable characteristics, the

per-foot cable loading values, the basic design span, and design final tension, item 1.
2. Calculate Y, item 2, for design load
Use Table

conditions using formula C.

I
to secure related values of V, item 3, and Z,
item 4. Design sag item 5 is simply Y- V.
Horizontal longitudinal component of tension F (item 1A) is secured by formula H.
The calculating steps just outlined are based
on the tension at support in the basic design
span. If the design is to be based on a desired F value for the basic span first tabulate

item 1A and calculate V, item 3, using for-

mula H. Use Table I to secure related design values of Y, item 2, and Z, item 4.
Sag is Y- V, and total tension, item 1, is
solved by using formula G.
3. Solve for unstressed Z, item 6, all loads
removed, but with the cable still at design
temperature, using formula I.
4. Solve for unstressed Z at other temperatures, items 7, 8, 9, and 10, using the item 6
value of Z and formula J.
5. Determine related V and Y values for
unstressed Z value from Table I.

(/ F)2,each

averagex)
Stres(spanavrage)=(+F)/2a6. Calculate Z (cable only) at various

EffectoTemperaureChane

Changes in cable length due to temperature changes are found by using

formula J.

(J
Z7=CdZ
The change in conductor length due to
variation in temperature depends on the

OCTOBER 1945, VOLUME 64

2 and 3, and it is suggested that these

be studied to determine the solution procedure of this paper. These data sheets
are coded to show the sequence of calculations. The left-hand number gives the
calculation sequence, the numbers in
parentheses the previous values used to
derive the present value, and the righthand key letter the formula used. Where

_final or initial condition remains constant

.throughout varying span lengths.

________________

ports over tension at the vertex. In longrie

this increase is an apprecispan construction

j j g

f.

________
______________ _______ _______ PL UI~r
_______ _______ ____SPAN L ENGTHS
v
o
4@ 0 _______
U9Q....
_______________

e-

are contained in
data for this2 line
design
as sbown in Figures
data sheets 1 and

Ffw /r5 X.Sf Z 9

33./9
z

ONLY
1SCABLE
__,,,.,,,

This value is a close value to use with

permanent-set charts for the cable under
consideration From the chart determine
the unit permanent set, ku, caused by
design loading, (T+ F)/2a, and the unit
permanent set, ku, for the probable
stringing stress. The difference between
these k values will be the net unit per-

Nash, Nash-Sag and Tension Calculations

temperatures, items 21 to 25 inclusive, using

formula I.
7. Determine related V and Y values for
each cable only load condition from Table I.
Sags for each condition are Y- V.
8. Solve for Z values (initial conditions, not
prestretched) at various temperatures,
items 46 to 50 inclusive by the use of f or-

TRANSACTIONS 687

2.777778
2.702703

z
0

0.36
0.37

3.030303
2.941177

2.857143

'~

0.33
0.34
z
0 0.35

ti

,7

~"

V/X

Difference
in X /V

Y/X

Function

Difference
in Y/X

S/X

Function

~~~~~~~.071124

.079365
.075075

~~~~~~.084034

.094697
.089126

2.959731
2.889823

3.196806
3.112821
3.033937

.00500000
.00500300
.00500300
.00500200
.00500600
.00500700
.00500900
.00501200
.00501300
.00501700
.00502000
.00502200

.00500000

Infinity

Difference
in SIX

1.0016675
1.0020179
1.0024017
1.0028191

1.0000167
1.0000667
1.0001500
1.0002667
1.0004167
1.0006001
1.0008169
1.0010670
1.0013505

0.0000000

Z/X

Function

1.0037543

1.0073663
1.0080863

1.0140758

1.0096278
1.0104493
1.0113048
1.0121945
1.0131181

.065947

.18712000

.00517700

1.0229735

.00513300
.16650300
.1.0182491
.00514100
.17164400
1.0193785
.00515000
.078884
.17679400
1.020542.1
.00515900
.074.206
.18195300
1.0217405
.069908
.00516700

.089564
.083985

1040.15112800 051701.0150675
0961.15624500 051001.0160937

.00507000
.00507500
.00508200
.00508800
.00509500
.00510200
.00510900

056201.0088400

.00505800

055301.0066800

053801.0054089
2835.09528600 .00504800
054301.0060275

1.0048237

3613.08017100 053401.0042721

.00503000

.0012675

.0011984
.0012330

.0011636

.0011294

.0010948

.0166

0.38
0.39
0.40
0.41

X/V

1.369863

1.351351
1.333333

0.71
0.72
0.73

0.74
0.75

1.408451
1.388889

1.492537
1.470588
1.449275

1.587302
1.562500
1.538462
1.515152

1.785714
1.754386
1.724138
1.694915
1.666667
1.639344
1.612903

2.083333
2.040816
2.000000
1.960784
1.923077
1.886792
1.851852
1.818181

2.380952
2.325581
2.272727
2.222222
2.173913
2.127660

2.631579
2.564103
2.500000
2.439024

V/X

Function Function

.0000833
.0001167
0.42
.0001500
0.43
.0001834
0.44
.0002168
1.050505
0.45
.0002501
0.46
.0002835
0.47
.0003170
*0.48
.0003504
0.49
.0003838
0.50
.0004174
0.51
.0004507
0.52
.0085
0.53
.0005178
0.54
.0056
0.55
.0082
0.56
.0016
0.57
.0006525
0.58
.0083
0.59
.0007200
0.60
.0057
0.61
.0007878
0.62
.0008215
0.63
.0008555
0.64
.0008897
0.65
.0009236
0.66
.0009577
0.67
.0009917
0.68
.0122
0.69

1.0000167
.0000500

Difference
in ZI/X

.017543

.018512
.018018

.019026

.020120
.019562

0274

0233

.024802
.024038
.023310
.022615
.021949

.026441
.025601

0233

.028248

0223

.030248

0328

0347

0361

.034940

0325

.048309
.046253
.044327
.042517
.040816
.039216
.037707

.060976
.058072
.055371
.052854

.067476
.064103

Difference
in V /X

Unit Values of V, Y, Z, and 5, Catenary Functions

4713.07011400 052701.0032698

0.00
Infinity
Infinity
Infinity
Infinity
~~~~~Infinity
0.01 100.00000
100.00500
.00500000
50.000000
49.995000
50.01000
.01000000
0.02 50.000000
16.666667
16.661667
0.03 33.333333
.01500000
33.34833
8.333333
8.328330
25.020003
0.04 25.000000
.02000300
5.000000
4.994997
0.05 20.000000
20.025006
.02500600
3.333333
3.328331
0.06 16.666667
16.696675
.03000800
2.380953
2.375947
.03501400
14.320728
0.07 14.285714
1.785714
1.780707
0.08 12.500000
12.540021
.04002100
1.388889
1.383880
.04503000
0.09 11.111111
11.156141
1.000 1.111111
1.502
1.106099
0.10
1.00010542.05004200
.909091
.904078
9.090909
.05505500
9.145964
0.11
.757576
.752559
8.333333
0.12
.06007200
8!393405
.641025
.636005
0.13
.06509200
7.692308
7.757400
.549451
.544429
0.14
7.142857
7.212971
4710
6.666667
6.741808
0.15
.07514100
.416667
.411637
6.250000
6.330171
0.16
3647
5.882353
5.967558
.08520500
0.17
.277
3279
.09024300
5.645799
0.18
5.556
2938
5.263158
5.358444
0.19
.263158
.258110
5.100334
.10033400
5.000000
0.20
2305
2302
.10538700
4.761905
4.867292
0.21
.216450
.211392
4.545455
.11044500
4.655900
0.22
1957
1969
4.347826
4.463333
.11550700
0.23
.181159
.176089
.12057700
4.166667
4.287244
0.24
.161592
.166667
.12565200
4.000000
4.125652
0.25
.148764
.153846
.13073400
3.976888
0.26
3.846154
.142450
.137362
.13582200
3.703704
3.839526
0.27
.132275
.127180
0.28
3.571429
3.712346
.14091700
.118051
.123153
.14601900
3.448276
3.594295
0.29
.109834
.114943
3.333333
3.484461
0.30
1057
3.382051
3.225806
0.31
108

XIv

Function Function

>

Z
En)

to)

C~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~Table 1.

1.738546
1.726244

1.778616
1.764712
1.751363

2.327977
2.290757
2.255252
2.221359
2.188989
2.158053
2.128477
2.100183
2.073108
2.047186
2.022359
1.998572
1.975776
1.953920
1.932961
1.912860
1.893573
1.875067
1.857306
1.840258
1.823893
1.808182

2.594057
2.543914
2.496299
2.451045
2.407997
2.367018

2.823876
2.761587
2.702681
2.646912

Y/X

Function

S/X

Function

Dfeec
ucin
inSX/XnZX

.0270.032
.0270.047
.213105001.260
.0280.042
.218333001.302
.0290.047
.2235720010353
.0210.053
.228823001.303
.0210.058
.234084001.367
.0240.054
.239358001.325
.0260.068
.244644001.384
.0270.065
.249941001.496
.0310.061
.255252001.490
.0330.076
.260575001.497
.0370.072

.207888001.253

.0340.085

.2712610010478

.303657001.504
.0420.004
.309109001.609

.0540.034

.0650.054
.387195001.978
.0760.063
.392911001.942
.011807
.0760.063
.012817
.012302

.0680.049

.370165001.860
.068.057
.375823001.867
.0670.056
.013349
.381500001.923

.014482
.013904

0171.353305001.780
0184.3589070010822

.016365

.320058001.639
.0500.016
.3255580010645
.0550.023
.019287
.3310730010678
.0520.021
.018506
.336605001.796
.0500.028
.017761
.342155001.798
.0560.035
.017048
.3477210010753

.020959
.020101

0286.3145760010686.0420.018

.022796

0294.276625001.436
.282002001.584
0275.287394001.502
0292.292800001.506.0410.090
.024827
0277.298221001.507

.029576

0396.2659120010469

.032370

.040979
.039041
.037220
.035505
.033893

.047615
.045254
.043048

.055769
.052855
.050143

.062289

.192297001.240
.0170.032
.197484001.253
.0170.037
.058906
.202681001.280

Difference
in Y/X

Dfeec

e..

0)

1.298701-

V/X

Function

.990099

.980392

.970874

.961538

.952381

1.02

1.03

1.04

1.05

Y/X

Function

~~~~~~~.008341

~~~~~~~.008495

.008653

~~~~~~~.008817

.008984

.009157

.009336

.009518

.009707

.009901

.010101

.010307

.010520

0179

.011439
.011198
.010965

0168

.012210
.011944

0145

.013366
.013061
.012768

0160

.014005

.015432
.015056
.014693
.014343

0183

1.518.573

1.520498

1.522610

1.298

1.527423

1.530130

1.533045

1.536171

1.539515

1.543081

1.546874

1.550901

1.612564
1.605502
1.598757
1.592318
1.586179
1.580332
1.574765
1.569473
1.564448
1.559682
1.555169

1.644197
1.635760
1.627684
1.619956

1.653007

1.681799
1.671794
1.662201

0.76 1.315790 1.714437

~~~~~.017089
1.703103
.016650
1.692229
.016228

Diff erence
in V/X

1.1017875

~1.0990858

Function
ZIX

1.1045294
1.1073114
.080
1.1101325
.00583900
1.1129939
.00586200
1.1158951
.00588300
1.1188368
.00590600
1.1218191
.00592900

.00575500
.00577600
.00579800

Diff erence
in SIX

.46313900
.46913800
.47516100

.45716500

.00597400
.00599900
.00602300

1.1279065
1.1310108
1.1341576
1.1373453

.48727800
.49337500

1.1438452
.00609700
1.1471589

.50564300
.00617300
.51181600
.00619900

1.1539117
1.1573524

.001738

.001925

.002112
.59457200
.60114200

.58803100

.00660200

.00657000

.00654100

.00650900

.002308

.00645000

.00642100

.00639200

.0063630Or

.00633500

.00630800

.00628000

.00625200

58200.00648000

.57504200

.56859200

.56217100

.55577900

.54941600

.54308100

.53677300

.53049300

.52424100

.002505

.002707

.002915

.003126

.003344

.003566

.003793

.004027

.004268

1.2060575
1.2101179

1.2020420

19879

1.1941493

1.1902698

1.1864366

1.1826468

1.1789020

1.1715443
1.1752012

1.1679310

1.1643617

0453.51801500 062001.1608356

.005292
.005025
.004766

0567.49949600 .00614700
061001.1505139

.006139
.005847

0649.48120700 .00607100
064001.1405740

.007392
.007062
.006745

0728.45121300 059201.1248427

.009593
.42763300
.009194
.43349500
.008810
.43937800
.008437
.44528400
.008076

.41017800

.39864700
.40440200

Function
SIX

.105.41597600
.42179400

.011334
.010874
.010430

Difference
in Y/X

.0041072

.0040604

.0040155

.0039691

.0039236

.0038795

.0038332

.0037898

.0037448

.0037008

.00-36569

.0036133

.0035693

.0321

.0033978
.0034407
.0034832

.0350

.0032712
.0033137

.0327

.0031043
.0031468
.0031877

.0368

.0028614
.0029012
.0029417
.0029823
.0030236

.0221

.0027017
.0027419
.0027820

Diff erence
in Z/X

.793651
.787402
.781250
.775194
.769231
.763359
.757576

1.26

.005696

.005783

0582

.006152
.006056
.005963

0629

.006452
.006349

0656

.006887
.006774
.006664

0703

.007628
.007496
.007368
.007243
.007122

0763

.008190
.008044
.007901

Dfene
Function
in V/X

.699301
.694444

.704225

.709220

.714286

.719424

.724638

.675546001.584
.682513001.650.0970.061
.0020.060
.6895150012695
.0090.079
.6965540012795

1.283

.001506
.001722

.0300.005

.754196001.157
.0390.019
.7615750013675

0147.746857001.048

.7322960012931
.0210.004
.739557001.031

0097.7250730012937 .0230.091
.001071
.001205
.001337

.7107390012853
.0180.080
.7178870012846

.058.7036280012705 .0110.089
.000659
.000799

.000080
.000228
.000375

.0860.052

.6344680012318
.0720.030
.6412300012348
.0760.039
.648026001.387
.0890.046
.6548550012487
.0830.045
.661718001.479

0071.668614001.532

.000866
.000700
.000539
.000380
.000226

inSX

Function

.0630.013
.0650.019
.621042001.257.0670.027

.6143770012832

.607744001.425

0134.6277390012684

.001557
.001379
.001204

Difference
SIX

.004924
.004857

0495

0566

.005138

0524

.005289

ifeec

ZXnZ/

004800525
.7893
7699001.2217
.061.088.0490.025

1.513899
1.512695
1.511661
1.510795
1.510095
1.509556
1.509176
1.508950
1.508879
1.508959
1.509187
1.509562
1.510080
1.510739
1.511538
1.512475
1.513546
1.514751
1.516088
1.517555
1.519151

1.516835
1.515278

Function
in Y/X

1.544766
1.547785

1.541842

1.539042

.8220710013625

.002924
.003019

.8533410013829

oh(/)ad
ih(/)ut
fXV n ~Xvlewe

.0880.078
.8454650013740
.0860.081

0280.837617001.763

0265.829822001.688
.095.080.0750.079

1.536357

1.531334

.0640.051
.002335
.8066960013407
.024.041.0650.053
1.533785
0241.8143610013594.0700.061
.002572

1.522721

Differences for interpolations speed these calculations.

These tables also will supply cosh and sinh values for use in the formulas Y
The YIX value of the table when multiplied by XI V becomes the cosh (XIV
plied by X/1V becomaes the sinli (XI/V) of XI/V.

1.43
1.44

1.42

1.41

1.40

1.39

1.38

1.00544794
1.3003593
1.00536727

Y/X

Difference

0191.7764520013212
15001971 789500103261
73951004900538
005900541
15002092 794900123863
71490
162684
15002215 79072 005200546
0528

1.3
.580
1.3005180112073
1.34
.746269
1.00552841
1.3004041142492

1.27
1.28
1.29
1.30
1.31
1.32

.806452
.800000

.826446
.819672
.813008

.892857
.884956
.877193
.869565
.862069
.854701
.847458
.840336
.833333

.909091
.900901

V/X

1.24
1.25

1.21
1.22
1.23

1.17
1.18
1.19
1.20

1.15
1.16

1.12
1.13
1.14

1.10
1.11

X/V

FunctionFucin

I. Unit Values of V, Y, Z, and S Catenary Functions (continued)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Table

In a given span V', Y', S, and Z bear definite interrelationships expressed by the formulas, Y = V cosh (X/ V),
Z = V sinh (X/ V), and S - Y - V. When these formulas are divided by X, unit values, (Y/X) = (V/X) cosh
(XIV), (Z/X)- (VIX) sinh (X/V), and (S/X) = (Y/X) - (V/X) result which apply to any length span.
Related unit values are tabulated in Table I. If V, Y, Z, or S is known for any span the other values can be
quickly determined by the use of this table.

.934579

.925926
.917431

1.07

1.08
z
en
s. 1.09
()

1.000000

1.00

1.01

.43396

1.010101

0.99

1
06

1.020408

0.98

1.282051
1.265823
1.250000
0 ~0.81
1.234568
0.82
1.219512
0.83
1.204819
0.84
1.190476
0.85
1.176471
0.86
1.162791
0.87
0.8711.149425
.149425
0.88
1.136364
0.89
1.123596
0.90
1.111111
0.91
1.098901
0.92
1.086957
0.93
1.075269
0.94
1.063830
0.95
1.052632
0.96
1.041667
0.97
1.030928

0.78
0.79
0.80

0.77

Cp

Function
XJV

Hillside Span Calculations

CATENARY DATA SHEET
SUPPORT-S AT UNEQUAL ELEVATIONSSeraapoxmtmthdofeeSeveral approximate methods of deter1'
_~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
;VO
Loa OFabr-h?'Yce. 6EWjn,~~~~~~~~/ ~
mining sags in hillside spans are in use.

SPANS WITH

Blzol

IV=OS975kE29I

XL(Form-5)-- Vlo
OurM.

Co sh

(533.

S n L f 1, / 0

Y - /.3fN65

-I

aFf

One of the best of these methods is published in Martin's tables. Martin has
also developed another method of calculating hillside spans which has an extremely high degree of mathematical
accuracy.
The appendix outlines a mathematically

O,

n
=533.5958 f

e-to.s v

eft.

in

exact method, developed by the writers

*.4000010

YU

XYV;formre)

r fm.

2_4=

a4

and their associates, for determining sag,

p -deflection of vertex below supports, and
horizontal distances from the vertex to
supports in hillside spans. This method is
recommended where precision results are

(Func. withSinh.) '078&?64

=.077640744
=/
,f_o_rm.7)= Vilmes OaZ784017e4
YJi (form9)
948E75 (5j595dVL/4-jOOa 6382</
N(sa
10) z'5e 0/78-e4/7.4f7
=/0860// f I
3/e - 9 9O99
172329
uS L rm J)= 31)85
ffP 4
(for m.12) =?49 354099 96
23
Zu,i~..
form.- woq
arm. 13.
0 989f
16503704
9=v7958o-At
-3)
9_
._5_3_,
7
ZL formi 4) =4099698 w(0&?32?48/)
=-55'?969f
1.. (form.i) 927.9358-(:53Z299rJ
V)=/4f99mg-0,
S5kefch and -Remarks
X5

desired.

Appendix. Hillside Span

Calculations
4fCcao

1,0-"3.0'

This

paper

outlines

a mathematically

accurate method, developed by the authors,

of determining sag, deflection of vertex

below supports, and distance (horizontally)
from the vertex to supports in spans with
supports at unequal elevations. Its use is
recommended whenever precision results
are necessary, such as with certain span designs crossing railroads, highways, or other
lines.
The method is based on maintaining the
same horizontal longitudinal component of
tension, and therefore the same V value, as
in the ruling span to which the hillside span
is related.
The procedure outlined is applicable to
any type cable such as copper, coppercoated steel, steel, or aluminium cable steel
reinforced, where the ruling span sag (for
a level span) is known.
There are two general types of spans with

C.4ar Jr

IIERr7'X 6& WEEW SUPPORTS supports at unequal elevations:

Figure 4

vulalu weFrused:

mula K. For this problem the following Ku

Ku-design loading = 0.00049

= 0.00008
Ku-stringing

______Ku (for formula K) = 0.00041

The stress-strain chart from which these

values were secured is reproduced in Figure
4. It should be noted that the Ku values for
stringing (initial) conditions varies very little
over the range of stringing stresses encountered
Thi inicte tha eve wth a *ara
tion between assumed stringing tensions
used to secure Ku (stringing) and the finlal
determined stringing tension, close stringing
sag and tension values are secured. Stringing temperature variations have practically
no effect on the Ku value taken from the

stress-strain chart.
9. Determine related V and Y values
(initial) from Table I. Solve for stringing
sags, Y- V.

690 TRANSACTIONS

10.

Case I. Catenary vertex located between supports.

Case II. Catenary vertex located below the lower

Solve for T and F (if desired) under

various conditions. The cable loading per

foot, and the Y and V values for each condition give the T and F values.
11. Solve for sags under various final and

Nomenclature (Refer to Figure

The procedure outlined here gives full

sag and tension data for final and initial
conditions, not only for the design span,
but also for similar conditions in other
related span lengths.
The calculation procedure can be reversed, if it is desired to base the calculations on other conditions such as final,
cable only at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

D =difference in elevation of cable supports

1=span length (horizontally)
Xu, Yu=co-ordinates of upper support
XL, YL= co-ordinates of lower support
S,=sag of cable, which is the maximum deflection of the cable from the straight
fletine be frts
sl
X Ysco-ordinates
of catenary curve at
Xoint of catenar curve at
of
maximum
thepoint
deflection, 8.
Y.s= Y co-ordinate of a point on the slope
line (between supports) directly
above Ys8
Su = deflection of vertex below upper support
SL =deflection of vertex below lower support
2= catenary length from vertex to upper
support
ZL =catenary length from vertex to lower
support
L =catenary length of span (hillside span)

initial conditions

for other span lengths.

Remembering that the V value for a given
final or initial condition is the same for all
span lengths (related to the design span),
use these V values and Table I to secure
these sags. Tabulate these sags on data
sheet number 2 (Figure 3). F values for the
related spans are the same as the value for
the design span under like final or initial
conditions. If desired, the T value can be
quivcklydetrmined for any related span by
means of Table Iland formula G.

Nash, Nash-Sag

support.

Figure 5 illustrates these two conditions.

andl Tension Calculations

5)

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

CATENARY DATA SHEET

V=the ruling (basic) span V value for the

cable under the assumed loading

SPANS WITH SUPPORTS AT

conditions

If this V value is not known, it may be

quickly determined as follows:
Divide ruling span sag (level span) by X (1/2 span),
From Table I determine by interpolation the correspondingVIXvalue. This multiplied by X (1/2 span), gives the required V value.

DV

to secure SIX.

Df

FT/Vzos
Xru
Y

- 69 3595 ft

=G93595 r'V 50000

1)m
m3
492:'
L04-,
"

'96' xi0OO4If
- 2409
2
z

=24f/100
=2766. QQ fi
2962?

Xs

YS

(1)

orM_7)J

Vtlmes

(orM

5Z - 509/753
Not Regured

I S Loform.1 2

Case II-As Xu and XL are on the same side

of the vertex, both represent positive values.
Case I-As Xu and XL are on opposite sides
of the vertex, XL is taken as a negative value.

(or

rim.lO 259

or

Yu= V cosh

oD87.59_
8

Si nh (V w055'304774/

Cash V\-//3/-9c54

1
241/0006'35,
00a0
X //for
v( m6) (F'rc
(s/ with
lhS
o
S,oh = a,,0976-,e
6979592

vertex.

Yu= YL+D
Yu = V cosh (Xu/ V)

Y(orm
Y4Uform

ing these formulas the writers have assumed

that the upper support is to the right of the
lower support. Under ease I conditions the
lower-support X and Z values should be set
in the formulas as minus quantities since
they are to the left-hand (minus) side of the

XU=XLlI

in

X L(Form5 V/os

This procedure may be used with any type

cable.
The various formulas and their derivation are given in the following. In develop-

Il=Xn,SXL

onhr- lst Wc-YX>nd V

S SpaWiSn *plv
DfDk 355ff
a
/
-0
62 .2&U
5 9/
oS

i
P

UNEQUAL ELEVA71ONS
LEVATONS
UEnQUALoE
FurtC on-Z40

51

5.50

Re=narks

SketchLnL

53/)"9

/?995tt-

(2)

v(XL)

YL=Vcosh (XLI/V)

(3)

D= Yu- YLL

Therefore:
cosh (,7
D/V= cosh ( iL1)
v
v)
D e(Xvi)+e(
V
2

v+)

,(XL/V) +,-(XL/V)

D
V

-=D(XLI/V) [E(l/v)]+

2DMt(XLyV) by LV)
eLv = [E(XL/V)] 2[e(l/V)

2
1] +

Transpose:~~~~~~~(/V

Transpose:

(XLI/V)12rE(-/v)

2D

[-E (i/V)-1
_

,E

iE(I V)+CE(l/v)-2+(

(XLI V) [c(l/V)

(l/+e (XLIV)

D(>

D 2
v

Xs
- =

sinh-

(6)

Xs/ V1= function which has its sinh =D/I

cosh (I/ V)

[e('IV) -1]

()+2+2

The slope of the catenary curve at point

Xs is the sinh at that point, since the sinh
is the derivative of cosh (X,/ V)

Xs = formula 6 value multiplied by V

[cosh
[cos

(I)V=
sVcosh (X,l V)
(1/) V-1
Z
(4)

XZ

AftrXismXLI
VY
=

cosh
(l/ V)+ sinh (l/rV)s--1

(7)

(8)

(D)2
sinh (l/V)-1]
e(XL/V) cosh (l/V)+

V~~~~

OCTOBER 1945, VOLUME 64

o om
S
/s'oe'
U tO
Figure 5

Extract square root:

[C(XLI V) D(1/V)

Transpose and rearrange:

V

CAS/
CA5'E'
AY

ra

~~~~~~
xV

Nash, Nash-Sag and Tension Calculations

0c882t

hr-d
nai chaprtcbl
Fiur 6.Stress-str

TRANSACTIONS 691

Figure 7. Hillside

conditions
l__________sag
I

-Ss

ilzV

iL -l

D ys

CASE I
same side of the vertex, and originate at the |
vertex, both represent positive values.
CASE I
Case I-Since Z. and ZL are on opposite
sides of the vertex, and L is equal arithmetically to ZU+ZL, ZL represents a negative value (algebraic).
Sample problems, case I and case II, are
shown in Figures 6 and 7 which explain the Tension in cable at lower support:
procedure used in solving hillside problems. TL = YLR
Tension values at supports in case-I probReferences
lems are found as follows:
Horizontal longitudinal component:
1. SAG CALCULATIONS BY THE USE

By proportion:

( YJ- YL)A/X89-XL) = D/l

YJ =D(XS-XL)/l+ YL

S5= YJ-Y,

(10)
(11)

Su= Yu- V

SL YL-V
=
Zu

V sinh

(9)

(XH/l

V)

ZL = V sinh (XL! V)

(12)
(13)
(14)

(15)
L=Zu-ZL
Case II-Since Zu and ZL are both on the

692 TRANSACTIONS

(book), James S. Martin. 1931.

FV

TABLES

Tu Y.R

miSSION LINES (book), L. E. Imlay.

Tension in cable at upper support:

-

Wash, Nash-Sag andl Tension

2.

Cakcuk&tions

MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF

1928.

TRAND-

EuECTRmCAL ENGINEEIBRNG