Description
The form a cable takes for a uniformly distributed load is equivalent to a parabola, for self-weight it is equivalent to a catenary. The parabola is often used as an approximation of a catenary as it can be constructed easily using geometric techniques. Use the slider to through the steps of the construction process: 1-2) find the funicular form for a uniformly distributed load using the parabola construction; 3-5) use the different lengths of the segments of the parabola to determine the actual weight of the cable and construct the load line for the non-uniformly distributed load; 6-10) construct the form and force diagram for this load. Move the support points and/ or the apex point and investigate the relationship between the rise and the deviation of both curves.