A General Method for the Calculation of Pipe Cable Pulling Forces

The accurate prediction of cable pulling forces is essential for the design of pipe cable systems. This knowledge makes it possible to avoid overconservative design practices and to achieve substantial capital savings during construction. Calculation procedures used previously have only a limited ability to account for complex pulling path geometry. This paper develops a general tension model and a solution algorithm suitable for use with a programmable calculator. The model has been used on the design of actual cable installations. Comparisons are made between calculated and measured lengths and tensions for a wide variety of path conditions