MONOLITHIC ROPE TERMINATION WITH INTEGRATED SENSOR SYSTEM FOR HIGH-MODULUS FIBER ROPES

Summary

Within the scope of the research project series “Hybrid Intelligent Construction Elements” (HIKE), a monolithic rope termination for high-modulus fiber ropes up to a rope diameter of 50 mm has been developed at the Institute of Mechanical Handling and Logistics (IFT) of the University of Stuttgart. This so-called "HIKE termination" is characterized by a compact and lightweight design. Besides, the rope termination is characterized by high resistance to tension-tension loads and the high efficiency of transmitting tensile force.

To guarantee operationally reliable systems in the future, the point of discard detection of the HIKE termination and the fiber rope itself is to be supported by the use of an integrated sensor system. For this purpose, strain gauges for measuring the rope force were successfully integrated into the end connection in a first step.

To validate the sensor system, cyclic bending over sheaves fatigue tests (CBOS) and tension-tension tests were carried out at the IFT. In the future, a model for discard detection has to be developed from the data obtained, thus enabling preventive maintenance for high-modulus fiber ropes.

Author(s): B. Franck