Experimental validation of detailed finite element models of steel wire ropes

The fatigue analysis of ropes is limited by the difficulty of evaluating the local stress in the wires, especially under combined tension and bending loads. IFPEN has developed detailed finite element models of steel wire ropes, where each wire is individually represented, providing the local stress distribution within the rope. Yet, an experimental validation was lacking. The Cabmoor project was launched to provide such a validation. A spiral steel wire rope was loaded in tension plus cyclic lateral load, producing combined tension and bending. Local strains were measured on strain gages placed on outer wires at two rope sections, where the lateral load is applied and 50 cm away from it. We have simulated the test with two different models. The first one uses the built-in capabilities of Abaqus, the other one uses a user contact element, specifically developed for ropes, which reduces the simulation time by a considerable amount.

Author(s): M.Martinez, M.Guiton