Analysis of Plane Prestressed Cable Structures

A method is presented for the analysis of plane prestressed cable trusses of the type used for suspended roof structures. The structures are composed of simple tension members, simple compression members and shallow cable members. In the analysis, the structure is assumed elastic and is treated as a discrete system and the members are assumed incapable of resisting being. Static loading, temperature effects and support movements are considered. The governing nonlinear equations are derived and an iterative method of solution (a modified Newton-Raphson method) is developed for determining the joint displacements and the member forces corresponding to the equilibrium state. A computer program based on this method was prepared and several numerical examples were solved. Three types of prestressed cable trusses are studied in the numerical examples (including the type developed by Jawerth) and their performance and efficiency are compared.