Cable Layout Form

Defining Cable tension in the cable layout does not generate prestressing force. Cable layout is only used to determine the length of the cable that is added to the model. It is a drawing tool. It assumes fixed points of support and only gravity load acting. In the actual model, the supports may move, many different loads can be applied to the cable and the rest of the structure, and these loads may differ from one load case to another.

If the length of the cable is longer that the chord length (distance between the joints), it will have no initial tension in the model, no matter how it was drawn. If the cable is shorter that the chord length, then initial tension will be induced. The actual tension will depend upon support flexibility.

Aside from this effect, tension in the cable must be generated by applied loading. Tension can be generated by applying gravity load, by applying strain or temperature load, or by applying target force loading. When applying gravity, strain, or temperature load, the resulting tension will depend on the shape of the cable and the movement of the supports due to flexibility and other factors.

Only target force loading is capable of applying a specified tension in the cable, when possible, and this is an iterative process due to all of the factors mentioned above.

Notes

• accessible via Edit > Edit Line > Edit Cable Geometry
• relative length is length of the cable divided by the length of the cord connecting the beginning and end points

Available Cable Types

h1. Cable layout menu

The cable layout menu is a drawing tool used to determine the length of a cable added to a model. Initially, supports are assumed to be fixed, and only gravity load is considered. If cable length is greater than chord length (distance between joints), the cable will have no initial tension under any circumstance. If the cable is shorter than chord length, initial tension will be introduced, and resultant tension will be dependent upon applied loading and the flexibility of the structure.

Tension may be generated in a cable through the application of gravity load, strain or temperature load, and target force loading. A specific cable tension may only be assigned through target force loading (when possible), which is an iterative process. Please note that *defining cable tension in the cable layout menu does not generate prestressing force*.

Once cable geometry is defined, and loading conditions are applied through [load cases|kb:Load case], cable tension will adjust such that resultant tension provides for equilibrium within the deformed structural configuration.


h1. Notes

* The cable layout menu is accessible through Edit > Edit Line > Edit Cable Geometry.

* _Relative length_ is cable length divided by cable chord length, which is the line between its start and end points.


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h1. Available cable types

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