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An Approach for Quantifying Dynamic Properties and Simulated Deployment Loading of Fire Service Escape Rope Systems

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Abstract

Rope systems are simple mechanical structures that provide life-critical protection from dynamic loading in a variety of applications where falls from height are possible. Recently, the Fire Service has realized the importance of using fall protection systems while endeavoring to gain a better understanding of how these systems will respond during fire ground deployments. A new extensometer, utilizing a linear variable differential transformer, was designed to advance the ability to characterize the dynamic and static properties of these ropes. A series of experiments were conducted to replicate various deployment scenarios, quantifying the effect of fall height, payout length, and ledge geometry on the dynamic loads a firefighter and his/her equipment may expect in realistic escape scenarios utilizing common rope systems. These loads are compared to occupational health-safety-based maximum load recommendations and the quasistatic strength of the rope. While the ropes constructed from all aramid fibers were the strongest in standard quasistatic tests; during dynamic loading they generated the largest maximum arrest loads that were consistently above the occupational health-safety recommended load of 8 kN. Finally, using the experimentally determined rope properties measured with the new extensometer, positive agreement was found between the experimental drop tests and numerical simulations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Illinois Fire Service Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 11 Gerty Drive, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA

    D. A. Martin, M. Obstalecki & G. P. Horn

  2. Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

    M. Obstalecki

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA

    P. Kurath & G. P. Horn

Authors
  1. D. A. Martin
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  2. M. Obstalecki
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  3. P. Kurath
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  4. G. P. Horn
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Correspondence to G. P. Horn.

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Martin, D.A., Obstalecki, M., Kurath, P. et al. An Approach for Quantifying Dynamic Properties and Simulated Deployment Loading of Fire Service Escape Rope Systems. Exp Tech 40, 367–379 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40799-016-0041-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40799-016-0041-9

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