Propagation of a longitudinal pulse in wire ropes under axial loads

Measurements of the velocity of propagation of longitudinal pulses in wire ropes as a function of applied tension are reported. Twelve 3/8-in.-diam cables are investigated which differ in configuration, i.e., number of wires per strand and number of strands, and in the material from which the wires and the core are fabricated. The velocity of longitudinal waves is found to increase with increasing tension, approaching the velocity in a solid steel bar as the applied load is increased toward the failure load of the wire rope. The material from which the wires are fabricated and the number of strands, rather than the number of wires in a strand or its core material, appear to significantly affect the velocity of longitudinal pulses.