cable structures

Structural steel cable is a non-rigid, rope-like material that is flexible and shapeless in its
natural state. A brick bearing wall or concrete frame stands on its own accord before
supporting the weight of a building but structural steel wire cable is unique in that it is
completely reliant on its load to achieve its form.
Cable sizes can range from one eighth of an inch to 3 or 4 feet in diameter, and whether
used for the guardrails of a stair or the catenary of a bridge, cable structures are unique
in that they retain their essence as tensile constructions. Because of their structural
configuration, cables are quite often on the exterior of the building and thus are not
subject to the same fire protection ratings that interior structural members are.

materials:
Steel, nylon ropes or plasticized cables may be used for different structures.

Steel Cables : The high tensile strength of steel combined with the efficiency
of simple tension, makes a steel cable the ideal structural element to span large
distances.

Nylon and plastics are suitable only for temporary structures, spanning small
distances.

other structural members like masts, compression rings, arches or beams and
compression struts may be of concrete or steel preferably. Struts may also be of timber.
Suspension Cables, because of their being stressed only by simple tension with regard
to weight/span are the most economical system of spanning space.