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Project Number 369
Date of Summary August 24, 2006
Subject Polyester Rope Analysis Tool
Performing Activity Texas A&M University, Offshore Technology Research Center (OTRC)
Principal Investigator Dr. Eric Williamson
Contracting Agency Minerals Management Service
Completion August 2006
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.
Progress

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.
Reports
AA (10 pages)   Eric Williamson and Juan Felipe Beltran, Polyester Rope Analysis Tool, November 18, 2004
AB (138 pages)   Eric Williamson and Juan Felipe Beltran, University of Texas at Austin, Final report, May, 2006
 

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