Nondestructive Evaluation of Track and Haulage Ropes of Aerial Ropeway Installation in India—A Case Study

Abstract

The wire ropes in steel material are generally used in harbours, on ships, haulage applications in mine winders, aerial ropeway carrying, haulage/track ropes for transportation of passengers and in many industrial fields. The properties of high axial strength and flexibility in bending, convert wire ropes into imperative load transmission components for many industrial applications. The exhaustive usage of these ropes deteriorates with its use over the course of period. The conduct of wire rope inspection has make one’s way expeditiously over the past few decades. To perform nondestructive tests of rope is a way how to analyse the real condition of ropes during their running operation. It became very necessary to evaluate ropes during their live condition in the interest to facilitate substitution of the rope in stipulated period and also for strengthening risk-free duration of working when discard requirements failed to attained. Available magnetic rope flaw detectors are now became much easier to set off and yield a paramount component of steel wire ropes verification or evaluation. The results of tests from these equipment’s capable of providing certain appraises of safety concern regarding steel wire rope parameters such as loss of metallic cross-sectional area and localised faults. It also provides further accurate baseline in establishing the state and rest duty period of a wire rope. A conducted research result depicts the level and the wide range of flaws, distribution pattern of localized defects such as concentrated or dispersive broken wires. This technical paper on nondestructive evaluation work being sponsored by Indian industry, illustrates the method of nondestructive testing applied and analysis of condition of haulage and track ropes including safety recommendations for further continuance in service.