astm spec for steel cable 1

[bpstruct]

Working on a small building that will utilize steel cable as x-bracing. What is the ASTM spec for cable? Is it just the wire spec? Do I require an allowable tension and leave it to the supplier? Not sure what the approach is here. I prefer to just size it, require the correct spec, etc. It will be exposed to the elements, so stainless steel might be best. Or can you galvanize cable? Would really like to find a few sample details too if there are any around....thinking about connections to the columns (pipes).

 

[JStephen]

Check the McMaster-Carr catalog for some of what's available. (It's "wire rope", not cable, by the way.) I think the stuff commonly used for guy wires and guardrails is galvanized.

 

[bridgebuster]

Bridge strand is A586. It's not galvanized per se, it's zinc coated. There are three classes of coating available, A, B, & C. A has the least amount of coating. Minimum tensile strength for Class A = 220 ksi, B = 210 ksi, and C = 200 ksi

 

[nac521]

Attached is a page from ASCE/SEI 19-10 Structural Application of Steel Cables for Buildings. You may want to consider acquiring the full publication.

 

[cvg]

WIRE ROPE TECHNICAL BOARD (WRTB)
Ph: 703-299-8550

http://www.wireropetechnicalboard.org/

2.25 GUY CABLES
Guy cables shall be prestretched, galvanized wire rope of the sizes
indicated. Wire rope shall conform to ASTM A475, high strength grade with
Class A coating. Guys shall have a factory attached clevis top-end
fitting; a factory attached open-bridge strand socket bottom-end fitting;
and be complete with oval eye, threaded anchor rods. Fittings and
accessories shall be hot-dip galvanized.

 

[dhengr]

Bpstruct:

You say... “Working on a small building that will utilize steel cable as x-bracing.”

You may want to give a little more thought to using wire rope (cable) as x-bracing in a building, because what you think you might gain in strength per unit area, becomes fairly destructive in terms of the stretch and elongation of the wire rope under lateral loading. Stretch and prestretching relate to the wire rope system itself and really seating the individual wires within the lay-up of each cable. Remember that elongation relates to A (area) and E (modulus of elasticity) and the stress in the element. Thus, the building will move much more (rack) with the cable x-bracing.

As Cvg mentioned wire rope used for structures should be prestretched, and most guyed structures or tension cable structures are designed to, or can, tolerate the elongation and stretch in the cables. That is, the building or roof system or bridge deck deflection and movement are designed for and can be tolerated. Take a look at round bars with turnbuckles, and end fittings which pin or bolt to connection plates on the columns. These can be galvanized for exposed applications. When x-bracing is not protected or hidden in a solid wall, it becomes something of a safety hazard at lower elevations where it can be run into.

 

[bpstruct]

I'm not that concerned with it in all honesty. The building is open...only lateral imposed on the bracing is from the horizontal component of uplift on the roof.

Having said that, I am more comfortable with rods anyway and will see if I can sway the architect in that direction.