Modelling and analysis of wire ropes subjected to transverse impact load using peridynamic theory

The problem of modelling of failure in steel wire ropes using various numerical methods has been widely addressed. However, there is a relatively small body of literature concerned with dynamic loading due to the complexity of the structure. Peridynamic (PD) theory was used in this study to modelling the crack propagation in a wire rope section. The wire rope structure subjected to transverse impact load was modelled within this framework. Two pre-defined crack line were located in a section of the wire. The crack propagation velocity and wave propagation were considered to examine the effect of numerical parameters on the failure mechanism. One of the important results is that reducing the radius of the horizon by keeping the number of material points constant causes a decrease in crack propagation speed. Another result is that as the contact surface on which the impact load acts become smaller, it results in significant damage on the surface. In addition, it has been shown that the effect of wave propagation on crack initiation and propagation can be modelled by the Peridynamic theory.