Inclined Catenary Calculations

This paper gives a simple method of determining the general U and S curves for a catenary system. They are both obtained from the same equation and give the general shape the contact wire must take in order to lie in a horizontal plane. The specific shape the contact wire will take on any curve is found by adding together multiples of the U and S curves. Methods of obtaining the multipliers for track curves of varying radii and for constant radius curves are given. The method used postulates a smooth continuous curve for the contact wire from span to span lying in a horizontal plane. The contact wire does not necessarily have the same shape as the track curve. For a given catenary system the shape taken is determined only by the relative location of the points of messenger support. The condition of design necessary to give a contact wire curve which has practically the same shape as the track curve, is shown.