A General Formulation of the Theory of Wire Ropes

Abstract

This paper presents a general formulation of the nonlinear and linear analysis of wire ropes. In the formulation, wires, strands, and wire ropes are all considered as a kind of identical structure characterized by seven stiffness and deformation constants, and as such they can be used, in the same way, as component elements in some layered general structures. Based on such a point of view, the general formulation thus developed can be used to analyze wire ropes of various complex cross sections, and to analyze simple wire strands as well.