An evaluation of magnetic rope testing instrument defect detection capabilities, particularly in respect of low rotation, multi-layer rope constructions

Technical Meeting The Non-destructive Testing of Rope – Krakow 1995

The South African Minerals Act and Regulations - section 16.33 states that "A winding rope, balance rope or tail rope shall not be used if the breaking force at ANY POINT in the rope is less than nine tenths of the original breaking load". The aim of such legislation is obviously to enhance safety and to minimise the risk of catastrophic rope failures. The question of establishing the remaining strength accurately at any point along a rope, using non-destructive methods, has been a point of debate for many decades. In the 1980's mining houses in South Africa started assessing ways of hoisting greater tonnages from existing facilities as well as hoisting economical payloads from very deep shafts. One of the issues raised during these investigations was the efficacy of rope condition assessment. Further investigation indicated that no common standard existed in South Africa for rope condition assessment and that the remaining strength of discarded ropes varied greatly. This indicated the need for a South African standard for rope condition assessment.

Author: M. Dohm