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Polyester Rope Analysis Tool

Office/Division Program
TAP
Project Number
369
Research Initiation Date (Award Date)
Research Performing Activity
Texas A&M University, Offshore Technology Research Center (OTRC)
Research Principal Investigator
Dr. Eric Williamson
Research Contracting Agency
Description

The primary goal of this research project is to ensure the availability of a validated software tool that can be used to predict the response of polyester ropes under a variety of loading conditions. Such a tool is needed to interpret and extend test data and to develop design guidelines. Laboratory testing of large and full-scale ropes, while essential for gauging performance, is expensive and time consuming. Development of a reliable computer model has the potential to significantly reduce the costs and time needed for experimental testing.

Latest progress update

Project completed. For most of the cases analyzed, the proposed numerical model accurately predicts the capacity of the damaged ropes, but the model overestimates the rope failure axial strain.