Wire Length With Sag Calculator
Equal height exact catenary wire arclength2a sinh(L/2a), afittedactualH/wexternally, not parabolic length or automatically safe wire tension. Actual independently established design/material/calibration and matched units; not a safe work instruction, code compliance or engineering approval.
Description
A hanging wire follows a catenary when its weight is uniform along its length and the supports are at equal height.
A hanging wire follows a catenary when its weight is uniform along its length and the supports are at equal height.1
This tool calculates the arc length from a supplied catenary parameter and horizontal span.
When to use Wire Length With Sag Calculator
Use this tool to calculate the arc length from a supplied catenary parameter and horizontal span.
How to use Wire Length With Sag Calculator and how it works
- Prepare callerIndependentlyFitCatenaryA, actualHorizontalSpan, with the units, conventions and assumptions below.
- Enter the required fields and run Wire Length With Sag Calculator.
- Read result.value using the output definitions below.
- Correct any rejected inputs and rerun; interpret the result within the stated model and its assumptions.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| callerIndependentlyFitCatenaryA | Caller Independently Fit Catenary A. Use the units and matching context stated in the calculation below. | number | Required; strictly positive; finite; other constraints below |
| actualHorizontalSpan | Actual Horizontal Span. Use the units and matching context stated in the calculation below. | number | Required; nonnegative; finite; other constraints below |
Supply positive catenary parameter a and nonnegative horizontal span L in matching length units. Return 2*a*sinh(L/(2*a)) as arc length for equal-height supports. Zero span gives zero; unequal support heights, cable stretch and a separately given sag are not modeled.
wireLength=2*a*sinh(horizontalSpan/(2*a)) Apply the input ordering, units and branch conditions stated above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| result | Object containing the calculated or selected fields below. | object |
| result.value | Conditional geometric length in the input's compatible length unit. | number |
{
"input": {
"callerIndependentlyFitCatenaryA": 2,
"actualHorizontalSpan": 4
},
"output": {
"result": {
"value": 4.7008047745752055
}
}
}Limitations and assumptions
The calculation uses the supplied observations and model inputs. It does not collect measurements, select a reference population or coefficient, or establish that the model applies to the actual case. The stated branch conditions and output units remain part of the result.
All fields require explicit values. Unexpected fields, wrong types, nonfinite numbers and sparse arrays are rejected. Alignment, bounds and supported-token rules are explained above; extremely large inputs or nonfinite results can also fail. Input errors differ from successful false comparisons, unavailable-domain flags and empty match lists.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use Holtrop Ship Resistance Approx Calculator for a complementary operation: Holtrop-Mennen resistance analysis requires a method edition, hull coefficients and a qualified flow regime.
Use Wave Force Cage Calculator for a complementary operation: A simplified wave-force model separates inertia and drag contributions along one direction.
References
-
Wire Length With Sag Calculator — tool.io
Similar or alternative tools
- Holtrop Ship Resistance Approx Calculator
Holtrop-Mennen resistance analysis requires a method edition, hull coefficients and a qualified flow regime.
- Wave Force Cage Calculator
A simplified wave-force model separates inertia and drag contributions along one direction.