I am trying to use a horizontal aircraft cable to support a string of lights against lateral movement (no vertical loads). The cable will span between the two exterior walls I am trying to figure out how much tension will be created in the cable when the lights push on it. This is similar to a bow and arrow, you pull the string creating tension which in turn pulls on the bow. I can determine the tension in the cable by how much it is elongated but how do I determine the elongation because of the lights pushing on it. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank-you,
Joe Goldbronn