How Is Tension Calculated in the Middle of a Catenary Rope?

Thread starter varadgautam
Start date Aug 31, 2011
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Catenary Tension

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To calculate the tension in the middle of a catenary rope, one must consider the weight of the rope (W) and the angles (A) at which the ends are suspended. The catenary shape is defined by the hyperbolic cosine function, and the tension can be derived using principles of static equilibrium and geometry. The horizontal component of tension remains constant, while the vertical component varies with the rope's weight. A common approach involves using the formula T = W/(2 * sin(A)), where T represents the tension at the midpoint. Accurate calculations require understanding the rope's length and the specific angles involved.

Aug 31, 2011

varadgautam

How do I calculate the tension at the middle of a rope (weight=W) suspended at two points as a catenary? It's ends make angle A with the horizontal.

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Aug 31, 2011

Hootenanny

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varadgautam said:

How do I calculate the tension at the middle of a rope (weight=W) suspended at two points as a catenary? It's ends make angle A with the horizontal.

What have you tried thus far?

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