1993 Volume 42 Issue 474 Pages 244-249
A terminal of Kevlar rope with a metal socket was loaded statically and repeatedly to assess the effect of high water pressure. The experimental results show that the water pressure increased both the static and fatigue strengths of the terminal. An analytical simulation of this terminal was also performed using the finite element method, where contact pressure, friction and slip process were taken into account. The detailed stress distribution and concentration were estimated along the interface between the rope and tapered socket. It was found that there are two stress concentrations on the Kevlar rod surface. One is at a concave being made in the forming process and another is at a contact point between the rod and socket. When the water pressure is low enough to keep the rod-slip out of the socket within a small quantity, two stress concentrations yield a single peak near the socket edge. High water pressure decreases the stress concentration factor at a contact point, which explains the present experimental result.
