Problems of Specifying Discard Criteria for Offshore Ropes

RoundTable – WIRE ROPE DISCARD CRITERIA - Zurich 1989

This paper discusses the problems of specifying discard criteria for ropes used in offshore applications, highlighting the differences between the offshore and onshore regimes with reference to three categories: general lifting applications which can be compared directly with onshore applications; special offshore applications where the example of diving bell hoist ropes will be considered; and, mooring ropes where the greater part of the rope is submerged and special procedures are required. In the first two cases particular attention will be given to multistrand constructions. The important issue that will be addressed is that Discard Criteria must be matched not only to the details of the type of application, but also to practical, proven inspection techniques, taking account of the likely forms of degradation and accessibility for inspection.

Author: C.R. Chaplin