Failure Analysis of Wire Rope Used for Hoisting in Mining: A Case Study

Wire ropes are used in vast range of applications and many of the applications are safety critical. In the mining industry wire ropes are extensively used for hoisting/haulage. Due to the hostile operating load conditions, many wire ropes degrade in service. Fatigue of wires in rope in combination with other detrimental factors is frequently responsible for rope deterioration and premature failure during operation. In this paper the causes of failure of a wire rope used for hoisting in an Indian mine are determined with only a minimum level of information provided by the customer. Samples of the failed rope were obtained and analyzed and potential remedial measures to prevent such degradation are discussed.