A Review of Non-Destructive Damage Detection Methods for Steel Wire Ropes

Abstract

As an important load-bearing component, steel wire ropes (WRs) are widely used in complex systems such as mine hoists, cranes, ropeways, elevators, oil rigs, and cable-stayed bridges. Non-destructive damage detection for WRs is an important way to assess damage states to guarantee WR’s reliability and safety. With intelligent sensors, signal processing, and pattern recognition technology developing rapidly, this field has made great progress. However, there is a lack of a systematic review on technologies or methods introduced and employed, as well as research summaries and prospects in recent years. In order to bridge this gap, and to promote the development of non-destructive detection technology for WRs, we present an overview of non-destructive damage detection research of WRs and discuss the core issues on this topic in this paper. First, the WRs’ damage type is introduced, and its causes are explained. Then, we summarize several main non-destructive detection methods for WRs, including electromagnetic detection method, optical detection method, ultrasonic guided wave detection method, and acoustic emission detection method. Finally, a prospect is put forward. Based on the review of papers, we provide insight about the future of the non-destructive damage detection methods for steel WRs to a certain extent.

Nondestructive Testing in Composite Materials

“…At last, Zhou et al [18] made an overview of nondestructive methods for the inspection of steel wire ropes. The authors first analyzed the causes of damage and breakage as local flaws and the loss of the metallic cross-sectional area.…”

Experimental Investigations Regarding the Structural Damage Monitoring of Strands Wire Rope within Mechanical Systems

“…The authors of [ 11 ] provided a useful overview of non-destructive damage detection studies of wire ropes. They also discussed the core issues within this topic.…”

“…The damage type is firstly introduced, and its causes are systematically explained. Then, the main non-destructive detection techniques are summarized, including electromagnetic detection method, optical detection method, ultrasonic guided wave detection method, and acoustic emission detection method [ 11 ].…”

“…Condition monitoring of strands wire ropes clearly benefits from the multiple methods available. The previous mentioned review articles [ 10 , 11 ] thoroughly describe the latest technologies in this area. This briefly introduction mainly contains references to electromagnetic and guided wave propagation-based methods because of their good operability and wide utilization within various fields of engineering applications.…”

Quantitative Nondestructive Testing of Wire Ropes Based on Features Fusion of Magnetic Image and Infrared Image

“…At present, the most commonly used methods at home and abroad include ultrasonic testing [3], radiation testing [4], eddy current testing [5], electromagnetic testing, and infrared testing. Since most of the steel wire ropes are made of high-carbon steel with good magnetic permeability, the electromagnetic detection method is very suitable for NDT of wire ropes and has become the most widely used and most mature method [6]. In addition to conventional detection methods, as technology advances, new detection methods continue to emerge.…”