AUTOMATIC LINE CALCULATION PROGRAM

THEORY FOR PASSENGER ROPEWAYS TESTING

Introduction
The calculation routines for the configuration of the ropes in the spans according to the
different load conditions are mainly based on the theoretical principles described in the
publication "Elementi di Progetto per Impianti a Fune ediz.1981" and in the report "Calcolo
di una linea funiviaria bifune a pi campate, con l'ausilio del calcolatore elettronico", by
Prof. Pietro D'Armini.

Calculation theory

As we know, the balance configuration for a rope only subject to its own weight and to the
tensions at the ends, is represented by a curve, called catenary curve, which may be shown
on the Cartesian plane by the equation below:

x x

eh e h
x
y h h cosh
2 h
h being defined as a catenary "parameter" .

The fundamental properties of the catenary curve make it possible to obtain the relation
expressing the tension value at any point along the rope, only as a function of the ordinate
"y" and the unit weight "q" of the rope:
T = qy

Particularly, at the vertex V in the catenary curve (cf. Figure 1) :

H = qh

Wherein h is the ordinate for V, vertex of the catenary curve.

Figure 1. Graphical representation of a rope length only subject to its own weight.
Unladen rope between two ends (catenary).

The calculation of the configuration of an unladen rope laid between two ends A and B, is
obtained by taking into consideration the diagram in Figure 1.

Solution for the unladen span, considering:

1
 a) Known values :
-L horizontal length of the span between the ends A and B
- span difference in height between the ends A and B
-q unit weight of the rope
- Ta tension at the downstream end (=counterweight/2 for the 1 span)

b) Unknown values :
-S rope development between the ends A and B
-f deflection at any point in the span
- Tb tension of the rope at the upstream end
- a rope mouth angle downstream from the span
- b rope mouth angle upstream from the span
c) Symbols:
- Cos hyperbolic cosine
- arctg arc cotangent
- cos trigonometric cosine
- tg trigonometric tangent

The formulae used for the calculus of the unladen spans are the following:

1) we calculate yA = TA / q

L
A arctg
L 2 yA

2) we calculate h y A cos A

L
B arctg sen arcsen tg A
h

h
yB
cos B

3) we check yB - yA - < 0.001 (convergence)

4) if convergence has not been checked out, we must correct angle a, then, we can
continue the iterative calculus from stage NR.2.

5) if convergence has been checked out, we find

S = h ( tg(B) - tg(A) )
TB = yB q

6) in the end, we find the deflection of the generic abscissa "x"

x
y x h cos arcsen tg A y A
h

fx x yA
L

The application software makes use of the Excel functions for the solution of the above
formulae and for the automatic seek of the calculus routine convergence (specific function
expression.GoalSeek(Goal, ChangingCell)).

FLOW-CHART OF THE PROGRAM FOR THE AUTOMATIC CALCULATION OF THE SPAN WITH
UNLADEN ROPE, WITH THE EXACT CATENARY CURVE FORMULAE

2
Known
KnownValues
ValuesInput
Input
- -LL Span
Spanhorizontal
horizontallength
length
- - span
spandifference
differenceininheight
height
- -qq rope
ropeunit
unitweight
weight
- -Ta
Tatension
tensionatatthe
thedownstream
downstreamend
end

Ordinate
Ordinatecalculus
calculusand
andangle
angleofof1
tangency
tangencydownstream
downstreamfrom
from the
the
rope
rope
yyA ==TTA/q/q
A A
A ==arctg(/L
arctg(/L- -L/(2y
L/(2yA))))
A A

WeWecalculate:
calculate: 2 4
- -hh ==yyAcos(
cos( ) )
We
Wecorrect angle a
correctangle athen
thenwe
werepeat
repeat
AA
A the
thecycle
cycle
- -B ==arctgsen(L/h+arcsen(tg
arctgsen(L/h+arcsen(tg
B
A))))
A
- -yyB ==h/cos(
h/cos(BB) )
B

3
YB - yA - < 0.001 NO

YES

WeWecalculate:
calculate: 5
- -SS ==hh(tg(
(tg(BB)-tg(
)-tg(AA))))
- -TTB ==yyBqq
B B

and
andthe thedeflection
deflectionofofthe
thegeneric
generic
abscissa
abscissaxxasastotothe
thedownstream
downstreamend end
AA
- -yyx
x
hcos(x/h+arcsentgAA)-)-
==hcos(x/h+arcsentg
yyA
A
- -fxf ==x/L-
x/L-yyA
x A

END

3
Formulae used for the subsequent unladen spans

Regarding the subsequent spans, the calculation method remains unchanged, provided that
it is given the new value for the initial tension downstream from the new span to be tested
(Ta). It is the result of the sum of the value Tb' of the previous span plus the rope-tower
friction value. But, as the rope-tower friction value depends on pressure, and pressure
depends on the rope tension and angle of deviation values, it is necessary to go on through
subsequent iterations, according to the subsequent sequence:

1) as a first put and take technique, we put friction null ( Atp = 0 )

Ta = Tb' of the previous span
Ts = Ta

2) we find, through the previous procedure, the downstream mouth angle a

3) we find the pressure value on the tower (b' and a being the rope mouth angles
downstream and upstream from the tower)
Ps = 2 * Ts * sen ( b' - a ) / 2

4) we find the rope-tower friction value

At = * Ps being the friction coefficient

5) we compare the friction value At with the previous one Atp, then, we check that
At - Atp < 0.01

6) it the put and take technique has not been checked out, we put
Atp = At
Ts = Tb' + At / (tension at tower middle)
Ta = Ts + At / 2
And we repeat the sequence starting from item NR.2.

7) if the put and take technique has been checked out, we go on calculating the subsequent
span.

NB:
The rope-tower friction coefficient is positive or negative depending on the direction of
the rope, thus, for the carrying ropes the result is that:

) it is positive for the towers downstream from the carrier truck

2) it is negative for the towers upstream from the carrier truck
3) it is null in the case of end spans less than 20 m in length
(relating to which it is assumed that the rope is not subject to such remarkable
spring shifts to induce friction pressures).

4
FLOW-CHART OF THE PROGRAM FOR THE AUTOMATIC CALCULATION OF SPANS, WITH
UNLADEN ROPE, SUBSEQUENT TO THE FIRST ONE

Known
Knownvalues
valuesinput
input
- -i i span
spannumber
number
- -LL span
spanhorizontal
horizontallength
length
- - span
spandifference
differenceininheight
height
- -qq rope
ropeunit
unitweight
weight
- -TaTa tension
tensionatatdownstream
downstreamend end
- -TsTs tension
tension on thetower
on the tower
- - rope-shoe
rope-shoe friction
frictioncoeff.
coeff.

As
Asaafirst
firstapproximation,
approximation,we we 1
put
putthe
thedownstream
downstreamtension
tensionequal
equaltoto
the
thetension
tensionTb Tbofofthe
theprevious
previousspan:
span:
At
At==00
TTA ==TTB(i-1)
(i-1)
A B
TTs ==TTA
s A

We
Wefind:
find:with
withthe
thePCS
PCSprocedure
procedure2
the The
Thefriction
frictionvalue
valueisisstored,
stored,
theconcerned
concernedspan,
span,then,
then,we
we then,
find
findthe
thedownstream
downstreammouth
mouthangle
angle then, the the tension
tensionvalues
valuesare
are 6
updated
updatedfor forthe
thetower
towerandand
a
a downstream
downstreamfrom fromthe
theconcerned
concerned
span:
span:
- -At
Atp p ==At At
We
Wefind
findthe
thepressure
pressureon onthe
thetower
tower
downstream from the span: - -TTs ==TTB++At/2
At/2
downstream from the span: 3 s B
PPs ==2T
2Tsen((f
sen((f -f-fA)/2)
)/2) - -TTA ==TTs ++At/2
At/2
s s s BB A A s

We 4
Wefind
findthe
thefriction
frictionvalue
valueon
onthe
the
tower:
tower:
At==P
At Ps s

5
At-Atp < 0.01 NO

YES

Now, 7
Now,wewecan
cango
goononcalculating
calculating
the
thesubsequent
subsequentspans
spansby
byfollowing
following
the same criterium
the same criterium

END
5
 Calculation of the laden span

Referring to the typical ropeway span with load kept by the carrying rope and the counter
rope, we take into consideration the balance condition for the forces at the load application
point C, which is the point of convergence for load weight, tensions towards downstream
and upstream from the carrying rope, tension of the carrying rope and tension of the
counter rope. The test diagram is the following:
cf. Figure 2 and Figure 3):

Figure 2 Balance of forces in the single span with load P

Where:
P is the load weight;
T1 is the carrying rope tension at the downstream tower;
T2 is the downstream tension of the carrying rope;
T3 is the upstream tension of the carrying rope;
T4 is the tension of the carrying rope at the upstream tower;
t1 is the tension of the hauling rope at the downstream tower;
t2 is the tension of the counter rope at position C;
t3 is the tension of the hauling rope at position C;
t4 is the tension of the hauling rope at the downstream tower;
1 is the angle between the horizontal and tension t1 of the hauling rope;
2 is the angle between the horizontal and tension t2 of the counter rope;
3 is the angle between the horizontal and tension t3 of the hauling rope;
4 is the angle between the horizontal and tension t4 of the hauling rope.

Here below, the graphical representation of the forces at the load application position is shown.

6
 Figure 3 Polygon of the forces applied to position C

Ignoring the slide friction of the load on the carrying rope, the balance equation is the following:
T2 cos 2 t2 cos 2 T3 cos 3 t3cos3
T2 sen 2 P t2 sen 2 T3 sen 3 t3 sen3

From which we can obtain the components of the tensile force on the carrier truck :
t3cos3 T2 (cos 2 cos 3 ) t2 cos 2
t3 sen3 P T2 (sen 2 sen 3 ) t2 sen 2

dividing the second expression by the first one and summing up the squares make it
possible to find the angle of tensile force of the hauling rope on the carrier truck and the
value of the tension module in coincidence with the point where the carrying rope is fixed to
the carrier truck:
P T2 (sen 2 sen 3 ) t2 sen2 N
tg3
T2 (cos 2 cos 3 ) t2 cos 2 M
t3 N 2 M 2

Also for the loaded span we must work by subsequent iterations according to the sequence
below:

1) we find (by first put and take technique)

q P L1 L2
f c p
2 l T1

1 L1 fc
L

2) we find 2 = 1

7
3) we find the two unladen half-spans near the load:
- carrying rope half-span 1,L1,T1 we store T2,12,S1p
- carrying rope half-span 2,L2,T3=T2 we store T4,3,4,S2p
- counter rope span D1,L1,t1 we store t2,1,2,Sz

4) we find and store, with the balance equation:

- '3 = N / M
- t3 N2 M2

5) we find the half-span of the carrying rope upstream from the load:
- carrying rope span D2,L2,t3 storing t4,3,4,St

6) we check that
y3 - y'3= | 3 | < 0.001

7) in case of no check, we correct the value 1, then we restart from stage NR.2

8) if the check has been carried out, we find

fc = L1 * / L - 1 (final) deflection on the load
t = ( 2 + 3 ) / 2 course angle of the load
Pt = P * sen(t) carrying rope component

8
FLOW-CHART OF THE PROGRAM FOR THE AUTOMATIC CALCULATION OF THE LADEN SPAN
WITH THE EXACT FORMULAE OF THE CATENARY CURVE
Known
Knownvalues
valuesinput
input
- -LL span
spanhorizontal
horizontallength
length
- - span
spandifference
differenceininheight
height
- -L1L1 load
loaddistance
distancefrom
fromdownstream
downstream
- -qpqp unit
unitweight
weightofofthe
thecarrying
carryingrope
rope
- -qzqz counter
counterrope
ropeweight
weight
- -qtqt haul
haulrope
ropeweight
weight
- -T1T1 carrying
carryingrope
ropetension
tensiondownsrt.
downsrt.
- -t1t1 counter
counterrope
ropetension
tensiondownstr.
downstr.
- -PP load
loadweight
weightononthe
thecarrying
carryingrope
rope
- - truck-rope friction coeff.
truck-rope friction coeff.

Initially
Initiallywe
wefind:
find: 1
LL2 ==LL- -LL1
2 1
fcf
c
/2+P/L)LL1LL2/T/T1
==(q(qp/2+P/L)
p 1 2 1
1 =L11
=L /L/L- -fcfc
1

We find2
Wefind 2
1 1 2

Through
Throughthe theautomatic
automaticcalculation
calculationprocedure,
procedure,we wefind:
find: 3
1)1)carrying
carryingrope
ropehalf-span
half-spandownstream
downstreamfrom load 1,L
fromload ,L,T,T
1 11 11
=> TT2,2,1,1,2,S
=> ,S
2 1p1p
2)2)carrying
carryingrope
ropehalf-span
half-spanupstream
upstreamfromfromload
load DD2,L ,L,T,T=T => TT4,4,3,3,4,S
=T =>
2 22 33 22
,S
4 2p2p
3)3)counter
counterrope
ropehalf-span with1,L
half-spanwith ==> t2t,
1,L1,t,t1 ==> 1 1
,1,
,2,S,Sz 2 1 2 z

We
Weapply
applythe
the balance
balanceequation
equationofofforces
forcesand
andwe
wefind:
find:

Through
Throughthe
theprocedure
procedurePCS PCSwe wefind
findthe
thecarrying
carryingrope
ropespan with2,L
spanwith ,L,t,t
2 22 33 5
And
Andwe
weget => t4t,
get => ,3,
4
,4,S,St
3 4 t

We check that We
Wecorrect
correctthe
thedifference
differenceininheight
height
NO D1
D1then
thenwe
werepeat
repeatthe
thecycle
cyclefrom
from
3-3* 3
0.001 item
item NR.
NR.22
7

YES

9
 Now
Nowwe wecancanfind
findthethedeflection
deflection
value
valueinincoincidence
coincidencewith with load,
load,
load
loadcourse
courseangle
angleand andthe
the
component
componentofoftensile tensileforce
forceofofthe
the
hauling
haulingrope
ropeinincoincidence
coincidencewith
withthethe
point
pointwhere
wherethe therope
ropeisisfixed
fixedtotothe
the
carrier
carriertruck.
truck.
L1 ./L-1(final)
.
- -fcfc ==L1 /L-1(final)
- -tt ==(2+3)
(2+3)/ /22
- -PtPt ==PP. .sent 8
sent

END

Line global test mode

The line test is carried out by applying the above calculation principles to each single span.
Calculation always starts from downstream and goes on towards upstream, considering the
load at a certain position on the ascent branch, thus determining the corresponding position
of the load on the descent branch.

Carrying ropes:
It is provided the case of carrying ropes anchored upstream and with counter weight
downstream, or anchored at the two ends.
1) Ropes with counter weight downstream.
In this case, we know the initial tension at the downstream end, therefore, all the
unknown values may be found univocally.
2) Ropes anchored at the ends.
In this case, the rope tension at the downstream end is not known, but we know the
laying tension of the unladen ropes at a certain datum temperature. The problem may
be solved by put and take technique, as follows:
a) we assume that the initial tension in the rope at the downstream end is equal to the
laying tension.
b) we carry out the line calculation with the initial tension pre-set by defining the total
development of the carrying rope regarding each one of the two branches.
c) considering the mean tensions of the single spans obtained by line calculation and
the temperature difference from the laying temperature, we find the new length of the
carrying rope per each single branch, also considering that the temperature difference
induces an elongation S=Sot and that the tension difference induces and
S o T
elongation ' ' S being:
EA
- So rope length at the laying tension and temperature
- rope linear expansion coefficient
- t thermal head
- T tension difference
- E the rope modulus of elasticity, A rope metallic section
Thus, the new rope length will be Sm = So + S - S to be compared with the result
of the calculation obtained with pre-set downstream tension.
d) If the difference between the two lengths is higher than the desired value (usually
0.001 m) we must suitably change the value for the initial downstream tension,
then we repeat the cycle from B).

Hauling ropes and counter ropes:

The ropes are provided with counter weight, therefore, we can know the initial downstream
tension value. In the case of counter weight upstream and power unit downstream, we go on
by subsequent iterations so as to make converge the tension values to the counterweight
known value. In the case of counterweight downstream and power unit upstream, the values
for the initial tensions are immediately known.

10