Issue #16 Calculating Rope Stretch 2016

“Haggie Hints” by George Delorme
Issue 16, 2015
Haggie North America Inc. - Meeting your hoisting needs!

GEORGE DELORME
Ph: 514-453-1283; Fax: 514-453-0631; Email: [email protected]
Toll Free: 1-888-HAGGIE-9 (424-4439) Press #1
ANDREW AXIUK PATRICK SMITH
Ph: 514-931-0974; Fax: 514-425-5300 Email: Ph: 705-621-0761; Fax: 705-621-0834 Email:
[email protected] [email protected]
Toll Free: 1-888-HAGGIE-9 (424-4439) Press #2 Toll Free: 1-888-HAGGIE-9 (424-4439) Press #3
Rope Stretch Estimation

DISCUSSION:
Rope Stretch (Elongation) results for a variety of reasons however
there are two scenarios listed below that are most commonly
monitored.
1. “Constructional” or “Permanent” Stretch is a result of the wires

and the strands bedding down.
2. “Elastic” Stretch results when a load is applied to a rope.
Other reasons for rope length change can be:-

 As a result of Thermal expansion/contraction.
 Allowing the end of a “rotating” type rope to be released when
suspended.
 Severe corrosion or inter wire nicking.
 If a rope is loaded beyond its yield point.
These are considered unusual situations and except for the effect on
a rope due to temperature change, they cannot be predicted.
1
Constructional Stretch:
Constructional stretch takes place almost immediately after a rope is

suspended in the shaft and will initially occur at a greater rate.
Most rope constructions are designed with an “over size” tolerance

which normally is in the range of 2% to 3-1/2% and as the wires and
strands bed down, rope stretch occurs and the rope diameter will
approach the nominal value. This stretch is permanent and does not
recover but the rate of occurrence will reduce with time and use.
Ropes with galvanized coated wires may stretch slightly more than
their bright or non-galvanized counterparts.
The following graph illustrates the normal fashion in which this stretch
will occur and shows that most of the stretch or elongation takes place
initially. Factors such as load and operating conditions will have an
influence on the rate at which it will occur.
Hoist rope stretch
Cycles or Time
2
As a point of interest, this graph was or is used in some jurisdictions to
signal rope removal when the hoist ropes on a Koepe or Friction winder
are approaching the end of their life. The majority of the
constructional stretch takes place during the initial time in service.
Following this, the stretch reduces but in addition to the continuing
bedding down, fatigue cracks may start to form throughout the rope.
If the application subjects the rope primarily to a fatigue situation,
these fissures will start to propagate with the cracks widening which
results in a sudden and steady increase in rope stretch. Following this,
broken wires will start to occur throughout the rope length.
With conventional drum applications, this sudden increase in stretch is

not normally noticed since the ropes are removed from service for
reasons other than fatigue i.e. as a result of wear and/or corrosion.
Obviously, ropes with a greater number of wires/strands and with

fiber cores will stretch more than a coarser construction. The
following formulas can act as a guideline for estimating the amount of
Constructional Stretch in a few of the more common rope
configurations.
As mentioned, this stretch comes out over time but to simplify the
projection, we normally break it down into 3 parts with the “immediate”
portion coming out fairly quickly i.e. in about one month depending on
working conditions with the remainder occurring at a reduced rate.
Full Locked Coil (FLC)
Immediate = 0.14% of length in the first 25% of estimated rope life

Intermediate = 0.1% of length in the next 60% of rope life
Final = 0.05% of length in the final 15% of rope life
3
Half Locked Coil (HLC)
Immediate = 0.15% of length

Intermediate = 0.1% of length
Final = 0.05% of length
6 Round or Flattened Triangular Strand ropes with Fiber cores
Immediate = (1.2% ÷ FOS) x length

Intermediate = (0.8% ÷ FOS) x length
Final = (0.04% ÷ FOS) x length
Note – use ⅔ of these values when using ropes with an IWRC.
Conventional Non-Spin ropes

34LR Non-Spin Hoist ropes (compacted strands)

4
Elastic Stretch:
When a load is applied to the end of a rope, it will stretch in a fashion

that approximates “Hookes Law” i.e. stress is proportional to strain.
This applies as long as the yield point, which is approximately 65% of
the rope’s strength, is not exceeded
Unlike a steel rod, the Modulus of Elasticity of a wire rope is not

precise and varies with rope construction. Some formulas used to
estimate the amount of stretch requires knowing the actual cross-
sectional steel area, however, in the attached “Excel” Spreadsheet, the
area is equal to a circle having the same diameter as the rope. The
Modulus values have been modified to accommodate the area
mentioned.
The Imperial formula is ΔL = PL/NEA
where ΔL = Stretch (inch),

P = Load (lbs),
L = Suspended Rope length (ft)
N = Number of ropes
E = Modulus of Elasticity (PSI)
A = Area of a circle the same diameter as the Rope (in2)
See the associated “Excel” spreadsheet titled “Elastic Stretch

Calculation 2015” which will predict the Elastic stretch due to an end
load using either Imperial and Metric units.
As with any of these formulas for estimating stretch, the prediction is

only an approximation but it is sufficiently accurate for most practical
situations.
5
Thermal Expansion / Contraction:
ΔL = L x ΔT x (6.7x10-6)
where L= rope length in ft and ΔT=change in temperature (0F)
or in Metric ΔL = L x ΔT x (12.25x10-6)
where L= rope length in Meters and ΔT=change in temperature (0C)

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“Haggie Hints” by George Delorme

Issue 16, 2015

Haggie North America Inc. - Meeting your hoisting needs!

Rope Stretch Estimation

1. “Constructional” or “Permanent” Stretch is a result of the wires

Other reasons for rope length change can be:-

Constructional stretch takes place almost immediately after a rope is

Most rope constructions are designed with an “over size” tolerance

With conventional drum applications, this sudden increase in stretch is

Obviously, ropes with a greater number of wires/strands and with

Full Locked Coil (FLC)

Immediate = 0.14% of length in the first 25% of estimated rope life

Immediate = 0.15% of length

6 Round or Flattened Triangular Strand ropes with Fiber cores

Immediate = (1.2% ÷ FOS) x length

Note – use ⅔ of these values when using ropes with an IWRC.

Conventional Non-Spin ropes

Immediate = 0.4% of length

34LR Non-Spin Hoist ropes (compacted strands)

Immediate = 0.3% of length

When a load is applied to the end of a rope, it will stretch in a fashion

Unlike a steel rod, the Modulus of Elasticity of a wire rope is not

The Imperial formula is ΔL = PL/NEA

where ΔL = Stretch (inch),

See the associated “Excel” spreadsheet titled “Elastic Stretch

As with any of these formulas for estimating stretch, the prediction is

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