1. Cableway Safety An overview of common problems and issues regarding current USGS cableway systems.

2. Common Problems
Freeboard
Anchors and U-bars
Sag
System hardware

3. Freeboard Not enough freeboard during high flows
Should have 10’ to 15’ between bottom of loaded cable and water level during 100-year flood (Streamgaging Cableways)
Place notice in the gage house stating max usable stage
(max usable stage = bottom of loaded cable – 10 ft)

4. Anchors and U-bars Anchors U-bars
Many are undersized or don’t know actual dimensions
Fortunately, most are not in areas where submergence is possible
U-bars
Many are undersized, placed in wrong direction or placed at wrong angle
Often no auxiliary U-bars
Recommend getting all U-bars through the HIF
Quality assurance
X-rayed to verify structural integrity

5. Standard Anchor Setup Main U-bar and turnbuckle sized to meet specs
Two auxiliary U-bars sized to meet specs
(see Streamgaging Cableways for details on specifications for sizes and number of main and auxiliary U-bars)

6. Sag
Systems designed to current standards should use sag curve from Streamgaging Cableways (Note: not a 2% sag curve)
Older systems should use sag curve from Circular 17 (Pierce, 1947), presented in Streamgaging Cableways
3% sag line

7. System Hardware
Sheaves
Saddle blocks
Eyebolts
Clips

8. Sheaves/Saddle Blocks
Strength Efficiency - Bending wire rope reduces its strength.  To account for the effect of bend radius on wire rope strength when selecting a sheave or saddle block, use the table below:
D/d ratio should be > 10 (Streamgaging Cableways)
D/d ratio for a pipe A-frame
and 1” cable is approximately
6 (not within USGS standards)
Ratio D/d
Strength Efficiency Compared to Catalog Strength in % 40 95 30 93 20 91 15 89 10 86 8 83 6 79 4 75 2 65 1 50
D: diameter of sheave, saddle block, etc.
d: diameter of main cable

9. Working Load Limit (lbs.)
Eyebolts
Forged, shoulder-type bolt
Bolts must be sized to meet
load (1” minimum; Streamgaging Cableways)
ONLY 30% efficient at 45° angle!!!
Table 1 (In - Line Load)
Size (in.)
Working Load Limit (lbs.)
1/4
650
5/16
1,200
3/8
1,550
1/2
2,600
5/8
5,200
3/4
7,200
7/8
10,600 1
13,300
1-1/4
21,000
1-1/2
24,000

10. Backstay Tension Calculations
Forces exerted on backstay cables vary for different angels
Values were obtained from Sverdrup Technologies report; Sverdrup performed the engineering analysis for current USGS cableway systems
*** A 1-inch shouldered eyebolt pulled at a 45° angle
is rated for a working load of 3,990 lbs

11. Failed Eyebolts Not shouldered; not forged Eye is welded shut
Long shank; eye should be flush to bearing plate
Undersized
Placed horizontal not vertical
Not-shouldered; not-forged
Eye was welded to bolt
Undersized
(*** This eyebolt failed during a load test before reaching the 2,250 lb design load)

12. Clips
Clips should be installed with saddle on “live” end of cable as shown:
NEVER reuse clips; throw old clips away!!!
What if clips have been installed the wrong way?
Leave original clips in place; install new clips, in the correct direction, in the spaces between the original clips
Or if possible; remove clips, cut off “used” portion of cable and install new clips according to manufacturers directions (see Streamgaging Cableways)

13. Clips-continued When installing new clips on a new cable:
Follow instructions in Streamgaging Cableways
Install first (one base width from end) and last (as close to the loop as possible) clips and then install remaining clips equally spaced between the first two
No standard spacing between clips; depends on turnback length
Re-torque after first use and again after any larger than normal loads have been placed on the system
If there is a need or you want to check torque during annual inspections, set torque wrench to one setting less than the required torque

14. Other Issues Cable-cars Load Testing HIF Cars Non-HIF Cars
Retrofits are required on all stand-up cars (Nov 1997)
(Retrofit kits are available from the HIF; part # )
Retrofits are required on all sit-down cars (Sept 2002)
(Retrofit kits are available from the HIF; part # )
Non-HIF Cars
Currently working on a plan for testing non-HIF cars for compliance
Load Testing
Consult Regional Cableway Specialist before deciding to load test a structure

15. Inspection Checklist
Official Western Region inspection checklist (WR Policy Memo – July 18, 2002)
This checklist should be used by all Western Region Districts for future annual inspections
Take note of the “Inspection Results” box
(at the end of the inspection, determine whether or not the structure is SAFE to use)
UNSAFE cableways must be condemned and removed from service until repaired (WR Policy Memo – June 14, 2002)
(includes being locked with a non-USGS lock or having the cable car removed immediately following the inspection; include a sign: “Removed from Service”)