The curve described by the cable of the suspension bridge shown in Figure 8.70 is given by

where x is the distance measured from one end of the bridge. What is the length of the cable (see Example 8.5)?

Data from Example 8.5

In a suspension bridge a roadway, of length 2l, is suspended by vertical hangers from cables carried by towers at the ends of the span, as illustrated in Figure 8.9(a). The lowest points of the cables are a distance h below the top of the supporting towers. Find an equation which represents the line shape of the cables.

Figure 8.9

Transcribed Image Text:

y = hx 1 2h -x + h 1