Prediction of steel wire rope fatigue life based on thermal measurements

This paper proposes a thermal method for estimating fatigue life of metallic ropes. Rotating bending fatigue tests are performed on rope specimens and their temperature evolution is monitored till specimen failure. The proposed method is justified through a theoretical framework based on thermally dissipated energy and energy spent for mechanical damage. Experimental fatigue tests are carried out in different conditions by primarily varying the bending load and the rotational speed. Experimental results are in agreement with the theoretical model allowing the estimation of damage evolution and rope life via thermal measurements.