Cables are used in a variety of structures such as stadium roofs, cable car systems, and suspension bridges to support heavy loads across large spans. They are also commonly used on permanent guy wires for buildings like microwave towers and derricks, as well as for temporary installations during construction. Cables primarily experience direct tension and are highly flexible, allowing them to adapt to different conditions.
Cables can support concentrated loads, evenly distributed loads along their length, and evenly distributed loads over the horizontal span. When subjected to concentrated loads, the cable takes on a polygonal shape. Under uniform loads along its length (such as its own weight), the cable forms a curve, and when subjected to uniform weights along the horizontal span, it assumes a parabolic shape.

Experimental Objective

Study the Extension of each spring Balance Left & Right Both.

or

Comparison of simplified theory with Experimental results for a uniformly distributed load
Study of the effect of the point load.

Specification

The apparatus consists of two mild steel cables, each with a 0.5 cm diameter in cross section and 150 cm long.

These cables are pinned to two supports that are 90 cm apart, placed symmetrically.

One end can be converted into a roller by applying a known load using a suspended pulley system.

Vertical loads can be applied at various points along the span of the beam.

A dial gauge with 25 mm travel (with a magnetic base) will be supplied with the apparatus,

complete with a supporting stand and a set of weights.