Fatigue and residual strength of fiber tuglines

High performance synthetic ropes have been successfully used in the towing industry since the mid 1990´s. Although many laboratory studies were conducted on the mechanical and physical attributes of the ropes, not too much was known on the long-term behavior of the ropes in field application. Samson Rope Technologies and DSM High Performance Fibers have undertaken a 2-year long joint program to collaborate field performance and in laboratory studies to establish a better understanding of retirement criteria of a rope in service. This report summarizes the study conducted on approximately 40 AmSteel Blue field-tested ropes made from Dyneema SK75 HMPE fiber. Detailed residual strength determination and laboratory analysis are discussed.