Suspension-bridge main cable

Select polygonal, parabolic, or catenary cable models and reject compression, slack, and invalid support conditions.

Interactive engineering simulation

Suspension-Bridge Sag and Tension Explorer

Change deck load, tower elevation, and sag to study horizontal and anchor tension.

Tension only

Model distinction: point loads create straight polygonal segments; load uniform per horizontal metre creates a parabola; self-weight uniform per cable metre creates a catenary. These models are never silently substituted for one another.

Horizontal component H

259.20 kN

Maximum tension

337.40 kN

Left vertical component

216.00 kN

Right vertical component

216.00 kN

Horizontal span24 m

10–60

Drag for exploration or enter an exact value. Press Enter to apply; Escape restores the current value.

Sag below support chord5.00 m

1.00–14.00

Drag for exploration or enter an exact value. Press Enter to apply; Escape restores the current value.

Right support elevation above left0.0 m

-8.0–8.0

Drag for exploration or enter an exact value. Press Enter to apply; Escape restores the current value.

Uniform horizontal load18 kN/m

kN/m

1–50

Drag for exploration or enter an exact value. Press Enter to apply; Escape restores the current value.

H=\frac{wL^2}{8f}

y_{\mathrm{sag}}(x)=\frac{4fx(L-x)}{L^2}

Model scope and verification

Use the displayed units and idealizations, then verify the governing balance or compatibility equation before interpreting the result.

Cable with one concentrated load Cable with multiple concentrated loads Parabolic cable Self-weight catenary

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