‘Cables’ in Light weight and Membrane structures.

Suvarna Lele,Rizvi College Of Architecture,Mumbai,Maharashtra,India

Shireesh Patil,Chaugule Patil and Consultants,Sangli,Maharashtra,India.

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to give an overview of significance of the cables
in cable net structures.
It accounts the type of cable net structures, structure of the cables and their
applications.
The fixing of cables to membrane or cable to ground plays a significant role in
keeping a structure in equilibrium. This paper considers the various fixing elements
for the junction of these structural members and the termination of the cables.
It talks about general problems dealt with by cables net structures. It describes the
various possibilities of anchoring the cable structures to ground. This paper takes a
general preview of an application of cables in Lightweight membrane structures right
from its design to installation.

INTRODUCTION
Cable net structures are for covering large unsupported spans. Cables are used as
support members to the covered membrane and usually fixed to the ground by
anchoring. The type and size of cables would depend upon the load conditions.
1] Cable supported Structures: can be sorted into two categories where the
tensile loads are transferred into adjoining structures. They generate large
Lateral loads and may require additional reinforcement in existing structure.
Draped cables are main supporting elements of the structure and their
curvature is the main factor in the load carrying capacity of the system.(fig 1)
2] Cable stayed structure: Cables stabilize compression members (ex. Typical
light weight canopy with masts and cable tiebacks) and serve only as tension
members. They generally need significant concrete foundations or screw
anchors to resist the tensile loads.(fig 2)

fig 1: Cable supported Structures fig 2: Cable stayed structure

Prestress-Cables in the cable net structures need to be prestressed where a tension
needs to be artificially induced in the structural elements along with the loads they
carry. The stretching of cables from its edges changes its shape. A structural engineer
decides the level of pretension which determines the shape of a membrane structure.
The stresses in cable net can be created by using 1) compression ring beams 2) by
encasing in concrete.
3) by spanning over the edge cables.(fig 3,4,5)

Prestressed cable nets

fig 3:Spanning a ring beam fig 4:Spanning on to edge cables fig 5: supporting
heavy cladding
Fatigue strength and allowable deformations decide the extent of prestress to be
induced in a cable. The geometry and the boundary conditions of the structure need
to be calculated accurately to avoid the excessive pre tensioning of the cables. Roof
claddings must be designed so as to accommodate the requirement for flexibility.

Design
Design of pre-tensioned membrane structures generally follows three principles such
as
1) The form finding, 2) Patterning, 3) Static analysis.
The structure being flexible, a designer must work out on the ultimate attained form
after prestressing the elements which is quiet complicated and can be done with the
help of physical and computer models.The ultimate form can be achieved by
computing several times and coming to a required solution.

The different types of structures by prestressing cable trusses.(fig 6,7,8,9)

Prestressed cable trusses:

fig 6 :Vertical support for cables fig 7 : Inclined supports for cable

fig 8 : fig 9 :
Suspension bridge type structure Creation of hybrid forms by combining
cable truss and girder into one cable beam
Architecture of cables
The tension members termed as cables are group of wires, strands or ropes. A wire is
continuous length of steel that has circular cross section. The word strand indicates a
group of wires surrounded around a single core in a twisted form. The layers might
be more than one. Z-lock cables are used in some structures which consist of z-
shaped wires at the perimeter of the strands.
The several conditions which might affect the life expectancy of the cables are type of
material, its properties, climate conditions, coating systems and high performance
paints. For cables to become long lasting the study is needed to be done regarding
assembly and regular inspections need to be carried out.
Cables comprise number of wires. The cables do not loose their strength in case of
failure of one wire. Cables have yield strength of approximately 240 ksi to 270 ksi.
The wires in strand are zinc coated and stranded into helix which forms a regular
cross section. The core of strand consists of central wire and other wires are wound
around the control wire in number of layers up to 4. (fig 10)
The advanced types are closed one strand cables where the cross section of the wires
is closed by another wires wound around them. These types prevent humidly to enter
inside, resisting the weather conditions very well. (fig 11)
Several advantages of closed strand cables can be noted below such as usage of cross
sectional area, good deformation properties, protection of interior section from
corrosion, higher modules of elasticity in comparison with an open one stranded
cable.

fig 10 : fig 11 :
One strand open cables-a)1+6, One strand closed cables
b)1+6+12, c)1+6+12+18,d)1+6+!2+18+24 a)1+6+z,6)1+6+12+z,c)1+16+12+18+z
d)1+6+12+18 +z

fig 12 :
Variety of cables with infill of zinc rich powder filling the gaps between the wires

Various members used for fixing and terminating the cables (fig:13,14,15,16,17,18)
1] Membrane Plates: They are the connections from the membrane to structural
masts. They are installed to accept catenary cables and pass connection
hardware. Their design has to be accurate as they form a significant part of
the tension membrane structures.
2] Box plates: These are doughnut shaped plates attached to a cable ear plate to
reinforce the pin hole and allow thinner plate.
3] Catenary cables: These are the steel cables running through the pockets on
the perimeter of a tension structure fabric. The shape of cable that follows
that of a pocket is curved with ratio of 1:10. The thickness and the length of
 the cables are to be decided by the engineers. Centenary pocket is placed at
the perimeter of the cable to secure catenary cable. The curve of the pocket
although determined by the patterning of fabric, is close to 1:10 ratio.
Catenary edge is a method of securing the panel edge with a cable tensioned
between the two fixed points.
4] Guy cables: These cables support steel frame. They mean be attached to ends
of steel struts for holding them in position and resist them from movement.
An engineer calculates the maximum stress on the cable and then decides the
thickness of cables.
5] Stay cables: Stay cable supports and stabilise the mast in response to the
forces created by wind loads. They are basically used to resist movement of
the structure relative to the earth. One end will connect the footing whilst
other end would connect the steel frame near the fabric.
6] Bale Rings: These are the rings used at the top of conical shaped structures
which support the membrane at the top of the mast. The membrane is
attached to the ring by clamping and the ring is lifted at the top creating
tension. The rings vary in line and shape depending on design. The ring tops
can be covered by glass, fabric or metal as per design and requirement
7] Tumbuckle: These are the threaded devices used with cables or rods to allow
adjustments.
8] Wire rope clips : These are U shaped bolts with special insert, specifically
designed to clamp a wire rope to itself when forming a loop for temporary
cables.

Some significant joinery details for cables: (fig 13,14,15,16,17,18)

fig 13 : fig 14 :
Joining of cable to foundation through steel saddle and hinges
fig 15: fig 16 :
Cable junction to support Joining of cable to foundation through column and truss

fig 17 : fig 18 :
Junction at cable to boundary Membrane and cable junction at the edge

Termination of cables – A cable end can be terminated with an eye bolt head or with
socket. The cable end can be self locked, clamped, swaged or bound.
The termination should be done through a ‘grommet’. Grommet consists of an eye
shaped insertion made up of a shell, forming a shape of an eye. It transforms a
uniform force from cable to pin. It is used only for less strained structural elements.
They can be used for one stranded cables with small diameters preferably with
swaged terminal.
(fig 19)
The effective termination of cable is through cast in socket terminal. A cast of steel
with conical or cylindrical opening receives the cable end. Then the cast is filled with
zinc or suitable alloy. The socket has to be strong enough to secure the cable firmly;
it should also take the force developed in cable passing it on supporting structures.
The structures which are stressed both statistically as well as dynamically use cast in
socket terminal. The cable is inserted in swaged fitting placing it in a die block of
hydraulic press. The softer steel in the cables is hydraulically pressed which flows
fitting around harder steel wires of the cable. These types are especially used for the
smaller diameter of wires. Socket connections are available in types as open and
closed.
(Fig 20)
 fig 19 : fig 20:
1)grommet, 2)swaged terminal3)and4)pin Cast in socket terminal

Termination of Cables

Solutions for Anchoring cable stayed structures:

1] Stayed columns are used with ground anchors to deal with vertical and
horizontal reactions provided by axially loaded columns. (fig 21)
2] Cantilever columns or legged column. (fig 22)
3] Provision of rigid diaphragms to support vertical columns acting with
horizontally loaded edge beams. (fig 23)

1. Suspension cable
2. Restraining cable
3. Meet strut
4. Anchor

: fig 21 : Guayed Masts

fig 22 : Cantilever columns

fig:24
fig 23 : 1) Suspension cable,2)Horizontal beam
Legged columns 3)Rigid Diaphragms

Vertical and horizontal reactions are provided by axially loaded elements such as
stayed columns used with ground anchors.

4] Vertical cylindrically curved walls.(fig 21)

5] A self relating equilibrium by form related boundary shapes where no
tensions around anchors are required (fig 22)
 fig 25 :Cylindrical walls fig 26 : Form related boundry shapes

Some tension anchorage possibilities are illustrated below :(fig 27,28,29,30)

fig 27 : fig 28 : fig 29:

Massive foundation and Vertical tension pile with
Combination of stiffened plates Soil loading horizontal reaction component
(counterfort walls and soil loading)

fig 30 : Tension pile collinear with restraining cable

Some problems related with cable Membrane structures:

Due to the flexible form of the cable, the structure does not take any definite or rigid
shape as in conventional structures. There are deviations as per the applied loads
which are to be kept as minimum as possible. A pretension is required to be
introduced in a structure. The deformation must be within specified limits. There is
appropriate software to calculate the structural design as per the load calculations
which include form generation, Load analysis and fabrication geometry. The
structure is required to remain stiff under the applied loads therefore a proper
anchorage is needed to be designed.
Single cable structure required stiffening to prevent a change in shape. They are
required to make them capable of resisting wind pressures. Oscillations are to be
resisted by providing damping to the structure (fig-31, 32, 33, 34)
 fig 31 : concentrated loads (polygonal form) fig 32: self weight-catenary form

fig 33 ; Uniformly distributed vertical loads fig34: Assymetric loading with

uplift
Single cable structures with different loading conditions

Conclusion
Several individuals and groups involved in the design process of a cable and
membrane structure are owners, architects, structural engineers, project managers,
workers on the sites and several agencies. The process of design and installation along
with the maintenance is to be understood by all the concerned agencies. Thus starting
from the conceptual or design stage every stage has to be analysed ,studied and
understood which include cable structure in terms of dimensions, weight and
properties, their particular behaviors in loading conditions, termination techniques.
Various joinery elements as plates, bolts, cables, rings and rods are to be considered
in design of an individual structure.
The anchorage of cables plays a significant role in keeping the equilibrium in the
structure. Different types of anchorage systems can be applied as per the site and
loading conditions. All these conditions are sequentially reviewed in this paper.

References:

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