Strength Loss of Wire Rope Over Stationary Sheaves or Pins
Rope breaking strength is determined in a standard test wherein fittings are attached to the ends of the rope and the rope is pulled in a straight line.
If, however, the rope passes over a curved surface (such as a sheave or pin) its strength “is decreased.” The amount of such reduction will depend on the severity of the bend as expressed by the D/d ratio. For example, a rope bent around a pin of its own diameter will have only 50% of the strength attributed to it in the standard test. This is called “50% efficiency” (Fig. 38). Even at D/d ratios of 40, there may be a loss of up to 5%. At smaller D/d ratios, the loss in strength increases quite rapidly.
The angle of bend need not be 180º, 90º, or even 45º; relatively small bends can cause considerable loss.
All discussion of strength pre-supposes a gradually applied load not to exceed one inch per minute.