Measurement and suppression of tension waves in arresting gear rope systems

Abstract

Experiments were carried out in order to measure the effect of the tension waves which are induced in an arresting gear rope system after engagement, and to try out means of suppressing these waves with a view to application to projected arresting gears suitable, for entry speeds of up to 120 and 150 knots. Rope tensions were recorded for a series of tests covering a range of entry speeds up to 117 knots with a test vehicle weight of 5,400 lb. and up to 151 knots at a weight of 2,450 lb. It is shown that the amplitude of the tension waves becomes relatively greater with increase of entry speed and reaches very serious proportions at the maximum speeds obtained. The use of resilient rope anchorages has resulted in the suppression of the tension waves to a large extent, reductions in peak tensions of up to 30 per cent under some conditions having been achieved.