Finally I could understand your problem, redial.
Let H<L be the distance between the fixed end point of the rope, of length L, and the weight tied by the another rope's end (so the rope is slack). The weight is released from the rest and falls freely a height L-H to the natural (not deformed) length L of the rope. The weight drops an additional height d during the deformation of the rope. Thus the total height that the weight drops is L-H+d. The corresponding potential energy is stored by the rope on the form of potential energy of deformation (assuming elastic this process), that is
U_d=1/2.k.d^2,
where d=0.15L is given. By conservation,
U_w=U_d,
or
mg(L-H+d)=1/2.k.d^2.
Notice that this equation is used to find k (the elastisc constant). Once you get k, the force due to deformation of the rope is
F_d=k.d.
(this is the force required to deform the rope 15% of its length; the additional potential energy due to height d, is also stored by the rope as energy of deformation).