I have a math project which consists of building a bridge, and I have to make a complete report of how I carefully planned how wires, poles, etc. would be able to handle the weight. So I need to know how to calculate how much force a metal wire can handle according to whatever parameter (ray? material? length?) is involved. I'm talking about the pulling force on the end of the wire when the other end is attached.

 

Thanks.

The simplest method is to tie weights to one end of the wire . Locate the other end of the wire vertically and then test when the wire has gone to its limit. I once saw they use some kind of machine to measure the pulling force of wire.