Experimental Study of the Nonlinear Behaviour of Deep-Sea Mooring Polyester Fibre Ropes

Abstract Mooring ropes are essential components of ships and offshore floating structures and they are subjected to cyclic axial loads. This study investigates the evolution of the full-cycle stiffness of fibre polyester ropes under long-term static and dynamic loading. First, the static stiffness characteristics of the ropes, including the rope elongation properties at different stages, shrinkage rates, and creep coefficients after an idle period, are examined under static loads; an empirical formula for static stiffness is established. Second, the dynamic stiffness characteristics of the ropes are investigated under cyclic loads that are typical of platform production operations. The stabilities of the structure under different tensions are compared; the effects of mean tension, tension amplitude, and load cycle on the dynamic stiffness of the ropes are analysed and an empirical formula is established to predict the dynamic stiffness during the engineering design phase. The results of this study can be helpful for the rational design of deep-sea taut-leg mooring systems because they present the evolution of the full-cycle stiffness characteristics of mooring ropes.