Data‐driven design concept evaluation for full‐locked coil ropes

Abstract

This article provides a detailed investigation of the design concept for full‐locked coil ropes, which are widely used in various applications in the construction sector. The current design concept in the ultimate limit state according to EN 1993‐1‐11 is explained by tracing its development through past standards. A database of breaking load tests is built up and used to evaluate the actual fill and spinning loss factors compared to the standard values. Afterwards, the current design equation and the revised equation of the third draft of prEN 1993‐1‐11 are statistically evaluated with the test‐based design procedure in EN 1990. The investigations reveal that the use of a fill factor is not required and should be omitted, while the spinning loss factor can be approximated by a constant value. The newly proposed equation in prEN 1993‐1‐11 shows improved accuracy in comparison with the current design equation of EN 1993‐1‐11 regarding the calculated partial factors. However, the determined partial factors are based exclusively on tensile tests under laboratory conditions. They could serve as a basis for the development of a new design concept in which project‐specific information such as local bending stresses can be considered individually. This would allow a more precise definition of the safe level of utilisation and thus lead to a more economical use. Further research is required to quantify these factors.