General nonlinear theory for complex wire rope

Abstract A general nonlinear theory has been developed to analyze complex wire rope. The rope is considered to consist of several strands each comprised of a collection of helical wires and the nonlinear equations of equilibrium for bending and twisting of thin rods are applied. The resultant theory is used in the analysis of a 6 × 19 Seale wire rope with an independent wire rope core. Dimensionless results are presented for both the total wire rope and the individual strands of which it is comprised. The results of the current theory are compared to the recently developed linear theory for complex wire rope.