The load carrying capacity of cable-stayed roof structures is
not dependent on the curvature of the cables themselves,
which are virtually straight with the exception of a small
amount of sag due the cable’s self weight. Various cable
configurations can be incorporated into cable-stayed structure
layouts, including “fan” profiles, “harp” profiles, and hybrid
profiles that are a combination of the two (see Figure 2). The
axial compressive members (masts/pylons) that support the
cables can be designed as solid elements or open elements that
are designed like tied-column elements. The axial
compressive members can take on different profiles, and can
be oriented as vertical elements or sloped elements.
Symmetry of the structural system, architectural preferences,
as well as how the cable loads are applied to the masts, are
factors in the final shape and orientation of the supporting
axial compressive element.