More Advanced Tension Problems

Abstract

The weight of a member can cause appreciable stress. For example, a mine hoisting rope of 50 mm diameter, 500 m long, weighs some 5 to 6 tons. The stress due to this weight is something like 40 N/mm² on top of the duty stresses due to load, inertia and curvature. When we consider tethering a weather balloon, dredging samples from the sea bed or drilling deep holes, we need to consider tailoring the rope or drill pipe to the duty in more detail.