Learn about wire rope construction

wire rope lays,

regular lay and lang lay,
wire rope lay length,
wire rope sizing grades,
strand classification etc

Learn about breaking strength of wire

rope:
Diameter squared multiplied by the breaking strength of a one inch fibre
or wire core rope. i.e. D x B.S. of 1 inch wire rope.
D x 42 fibre core
D x 45 wire core.
6 x 19 x 1 inch fibre core wire rope has a breaking strength of 42 tons.
6 x 19 x 1 inch wire core wire rope has a breaking strength of 45 tons.

Breaking strength examples

1. inch wire rope (fibre rope core):
D x 42= Breaking strength.
x x 42 = 42/4 = 10.5 tons.

2. inch wire rope (wire rope core):

D x 45= Breaking strength.

x x 45 = 42/4 = 11.25 tons.

Safe Working Load

: Most hoisting jobs use of a safe working load based on a 5:1 safety
factor of wire trope breaking strength.
This safety factor should go high if there is possibility of injury or
death due to breakage. For example elevators are based on 20:1
safety factor.
Safe working load = breaking strength divided by safety factor.
Example: 1 inch I.W.R.C wire rope has a breaking strength of 45 Tons
S.W.L. = 45/5 = 9 Tons

Rule of thumb for S.W.L :

D x 8 = (S.W.L) in tons.(this is based on safety factor of
5)
Example: safe working load of inch wire rope = x
x 8 = 2 tons
(These formulas cannot be used in metric systems).
Mobile cranes have minimum wire rope safety factors of
2.5 to 1, 3 to 1 3.5 to 1 depending upon location of
and/or usage.

Having come so far now we have to go deeper in

understanding selection criteria for a crane hoisting rope.
1.Wire rope drums: At least three full wraps should remain on a drum
in all service conditions. Some areas the requirement may be five.
2.Wire rope blocks: These blocks are much lighter than the hook
blocks. They are equipped with cheek straps.
3.Mechanical Advantage ; The mechanical advantage of a machine is
the amount by which the machine multiplies the force applied to it in
order to lift or move a load.Here the machine is the pulley or a
combination of pulleys forming a block and tackle system

Calculate the mechanical advantage of

a block system
Count the number of lines supporting the load, with the
exemption of the lead line when it comes down over the
top block. The lead line pulling down is not counted for
mechanical advantage. If the lead line comes up to the
winch from the travelling block it will be counted as a
supporting line and included in the mechanical
advantage.

 5.The amount of wire rope needed for the system is

determined by multiplying the number of parts of line
by travel distance of the load plus enough wire rope to
go to the winch and have at least five full wraps on the
winch drum.