Suspension Bridge Apparatus | FortiTestX - 25

Key Features

Key Features

• Complete Unit: Suspension bridge apparatus strength of materials lab equipment unit with frame, cables, hangers, roadway, force gauges, weights, and storage system all supplied
• Bridge Span: Approximately 526 mm; supporting cable parabolic sag approximately 80 mm
• Supporting Cables: 2 parallel cables with parabolic sag profile
• Hangers: 13 U-shaped shackles in graduated lengths connecting roadway to supporting cables at regular intervals
• Roadway: Two-section design with central hinge; dead weight 987 g
• Central Hinge: Allows direct visual observation of internal moments under uneven loading as roadway buckling
• Force Measurement: 2 cable force gauges and 2 support force gauges (0 to 100 N, 0.5 N graduation)
• Pylons: 2 pulleys acting as deflection rollers for the supporting cables
• Weight Set: 10 x 0.5 N hangers and 500 x 0.1 N weights for point and distributed loading
• Storage System: All components organised and housed securely within the frame
• Optional Software (FX-25): LabVIEW-based, Windows compatible, data logging and results processing
• Certifications: ISO 9001:2015 certified; CE marked

Experiments

• Familiarisation with a suspension bridge under dead weight
• Familiarisation with a suspension bridge under additional load
• Familiarisation with a suspension bridge under evenly distributed load
• Familiarisation with a suspension bridge under unevenly distributed point loads
• Calculation of the supporting cable force
• Comparison between calculated and measured values of the supporting cable force
• Observation of the effect of internal moments in the roadway under uneven load
• Load distribution between roadway support and supporting cable

Construction and Design

Suspension Bridge Apparatus FortiTestX 25 is constructed as a rigid benchtop strength of materials lab equipment unit with the complete suspension bridge model mounted within a structural frame. Two parallel supporting cables run across the span of approximately 526 mm, passing over two pulleys acting as pylons, and connecting to force gauges that measure cable tensile forces. Thirteen U-shaped shackles of graduated lengths hang from the supporting cables at regular intervals, holding the two-section roadway in place and forcing the cables into a parabolic sag of approximately 80 mm. The roadway has a dead weight of 987 g and is loaded using the supplied weight set via hangers placed at defined positions along the deck. A central hinge divides the roadway into two sections. Under uneven loading, the hinge allows the roadway to buckle visibly, making internal bending moments directly observable without measurement instruments. Two force gauges in the roadway supports measure support reaction forces alongside the two cable force gauges, enabling full quantitative load distribution analysis between the supports and the supporting cables. All components of this suspension bridge apparatus are neatly organised and stored in a dedicated storage system within the frame. All construction and materials conform to ISO 9001:2015 quality standards and meet CE marking requirements.

Software - FX-25 (Optional)

Customised software designed in the National Instruments LabVIEW environment for data logging and results processing. Compatible with any Windows-based operating system. The software is optional and selected independently of the base unit.

Scope of Delivery

• 1 x Experimental unit (Suspension Bridge Apparatus FortiTestX 25)
• 10 x Sets of weights (10 x 0.5 N hangers, 500 x 0.1 N weights)
• 2 x Pulleys
• 1 x Thread
• 1 x Instruction manual

Standards & Compliance

• Manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
• CE Marking - European Conformity where applicable
• Supplied with calibration certificate, operation manual, and experiment guide
• 12-month manufacturer's warranty (parts & labour from installation)

Ordering & Delivery

• Incoterms: CIF to destination seaport, FOB Mundra/Nhava Sheva, or Ex-Works Ambala
• Lead time: 3–5 weeks production + sea transit to destination
• Payment: LC (Letter of Credit) or T/T bank transfer against proforma invoice
• Documentation: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, insurance certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How is the parabolic cable sag achieved in the Suspension Bridge Apparatus FortiTestX 25?
Thirteen U-shaped shackles of graduated lengths connect the roadway to the two supporting cables at regular intervals. The roadway acts as a distributed load on the cables, and the combination of regular hanger spacing and distributed loading forces the cables into a natural parabolic sag of approximately 80 mm across the 526 mm span.

Q2: How are internal moments in the roadway observed in the FortiTestX 25?
The roadway is divided into two sections by a central hinge. When the bridge is loaded unevenly with point loads, the hinge allows the roadway to buckle visibly at the centre. This buckling directly indicates the presence and approximate magnitude of internal bending moments in the roadway without requiring additional measurement instruments.

Q3: How many force gauges are included and what do they measure?
Four force gauges are included. Two measure the tensile forces in the two supporting cables, and two are located in the roadway supports to measure support reaction forces. Together they allow the full load distribution between the supporting cables and the roadway supports to be examined quantitatively.

Q4: What load types can be applied to the Suspension Bridge Apparatus FortiTestX 25?
The bridge can be loaded under its own dead weight (987 g roadway), under evenly distributed load, and under unevenly distributed point loads using the supplied weight set of 10 x 0.5 N hangers and 500 x 0.1 N weights placed at defined positions along the bridge deck.

Q5: What is the support force gauge measuring range and graduation?
The support force gauges have a measuring range of 0 to 100 N with a graduation of 0.5 N, providing sufficient resolution for the load levels applied in all defined suspension bridge apparatus experiments.