How to Estimate Tensile Force on a Pre-Tensioned Rope?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Glype11
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Force Tensile
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around estimating the tensile force on a pre-tensioned rope, exploring the relationship between applied forces, displacement, and tension. Participants consider various models and assumptions related to elasticity and mechanical advantage in practical applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the displacement of the rope in the perpendicular direction is related to the amount of tension, with more tension resulting in less displacement for a given force.
  • There is a proposal to assume an elasticity model, such as Hooke's Law, and to use a force vector diagram to analyze the situation.
  • One participant questions whether the discussion pertains to scenarios like plucking a guitar string, indicating a potential application of the concepts.
  • A simple model is suggested where the pretension is large compared to the increase in tension due to lateral displacement, allowing for a trigonometric approach to the problem.
  • Another participant notes the mechanical advantage of a perpendicularly applied force on a pre-tensioned rope, referencing practical examples of using ropes in various situations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying views on the relationship between tension and displacement, with no consensus on a single model or approach. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best method to estimate tensile force.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully defined the assumptions regarding elasticity models or the specific conditions under which their claims apply, leaving some aspects of the discussion open to interpretation.

Glype11
Messages
16
Reaction score
2
I figure that there is a connection with how much a given forces displaces the rope in the perpendicularly direction. Obviously the more tension on the rope then there will be less displacement with a given force. I'm not sure how to progress from that point.

Any other ideas on how to estimate the amount the force for a rope in tension?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Glype11 said:
I figure that there is a connection with how much a given forces displaces the rope in the perpendicularly direction. Obviously the more tension on the rope then there will be less displacement with a given force.
I guess you mean "the more pre-tension ...", because the final tension will be greater with more displacement.
Glype11 said:
I'm not sure how to progress from that point.
You have to assume some elasticity model of the rope like Hooke's Law and draw a force vector diagram.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: etotheipi
When you say perpendicular direction, are you thinking of a case like plucking a guitar string?
 
A.T. said:
I guess you mean "the more pre-tension ...", because the final tension will be greater with more displacement.
You have to assume some elasticity model of the rope like Hooke's Law and draw a force vector diagram.
A simple model would be one where the pretension is large relative to the increase in tension due to a small lateral displacement -- assume that tension is unchanged. Then all you have to deal with is trigonometry.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Glype11, Chestermiller and etotheipi
jbriggs444 said:
A simple model would be one where the pretension is large relative to the increase in tension due to a small lateral displacement -- assume that tension is unchanged. Then all you have to deal with is trigonometry.
Simple model indeed. I overlooked it.
 
A force that is perpendicularly applied to a pre-tensioned rope can develop a huge mechanical advantage regarding the pulling tension of that rope.
Pulling vehicles out of mud pits using a rope attached to a tree is a known technique.

Please, see applicable examples and calculations:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/s...-6-common-forces/#CNX_UPhysics_05_06_StuckCar

Here you can see how the Hooke’s law applies to ropes:
https://www.phys.ksu.edu/personal/m...ing/Belaying/ProblemSpringConstantOfARope.pdf

:cool:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K