Analysis of a resin socket termination for a wire rope

A finite element model to determine the socket strains and resin pressures in a resin socket termination for a wire rope has been developed. This model takes account of the relative movement between the socket and the resin cone that occurs when a termination is under load. To verify the accuracy of the model, computed socket strains were compared with strain measurements both on a full-scale termination and on a laboratory-scale model. As a result of these comparisons, modifications were made to the finite element model to improve its accuracy. It was concluded that the wires were held in the socket by frictional forces which were effective only in the resin section between 10 and 50 per cent of the socket basket length (measured from the front of the socket). This conclusion was verified by further laboratory tests.

It was therefore deduced that manufacturing defects in the back half of the socket would not reduce the strength of the termination, while defects in the front half are much more significant. This was also demonstrated by laboratory tests for both quasi-static and fatigue loading. These conclusions apply only to sockets of the type described in this paper and are not necessarily true for all socket designs.