Axial Fatigue of Wire Rope In Sea Water

Abstract

Fatigue failure of wire rope is a major problem for users in industry and government. In marine applications of wire rope, fatigue failure is accelerated by the corrosive attack of sea water. The axial fatigue resistance in air and sea water of single wires, strand and wire rope measured in a laboratory experiment is reported. A high frequency Amsler Vibrophore was applied with an identical load spectrum to all three types of specimen. The effect of construction and core on the fatigue resistance of four different wire ropes also was examined. No predictive relationship was found among wire, strand and wire rope. An ANOVA, performed on the air and sea water data of wire rope, helped identify the effect of test variables. Load range, construction, and core had the greatest effect on fatigue resistance. Of the four types of rope examined one is recommended for marine applications.