Influence of Edge Cables on Cable Network Behavior

The deflectional behavior and ultimate load capacity of orthogonal cable networks bounded by edge cables has been investigated. The results show that the ultimate load capacity of the network is substantially affected by the properties of the edge cables, despite the fact that failure occurs in the orthogonal network portion. Paradoxically, an increase in edge cable stiffness, either by increasing the cable area or the cable sag, results in a decrease in the ultimate load carrying capacity. For particular cases, this may even result in less ultimate load than that of an equivalent network with rigid boundaries. This phenomenon can be explained by analyzing the horizontal inward or outward movement of the supporting edge cables.