ISO 16839:2013

Overview

ISO 16839:2013 is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to specify a method for determining the transverse rigidity of steel wire ropes under no axial load conditions. This standard describes a uniform test and calculation procedure to assess the resistance of steel wire ropes against lateral deformation without any axial tension. It is essential for manufacturers, suppliers, and testing bodies who need to qualify steel wire ropes for applications where lateral pressure affects rope performance, such as in multilayer spooling.

By following ISO 16839, stakeholders can ensure consistent evaluation of steel wire ropes’ transverse rigidity, which is critical for maintaining the structural integrity and longevity of ropes under service conditions involving lateral forces.

Key Topics

• Scope and Purpose
  ISO 16839 outlines a test method to evaluate the lateral deformation resistance of steel wire ropes without axial loading. It focuses on simulating lateral pressure stresses common in multilayer winding of ropes.

• Test Setup and Equipment
  The test uses compression jaws with precise dimensions to apply a controlled lateral force on the rope. The jaws have a V-shaped groove (120° aperture) made of hardened steel ensuring minimal deformation during testing.

• Measurement and Calculation
  Dial gauges compliant with ISO 463 standards attach directly to the jaws to measure lateral displacement accurately. The standard provides formulas to calculate the maximum lateral force (F_Q max) applied and the degree of deformation (V), expressed as a percentage.

• Test Conditions
  Three rope conditions are defined for evaluating lateral rigidity:

  • Initial (as manufactured)
  • Partially bedded (after some cyclic loading)
  • Final bedded (after full cyclic loading with consistent readings)

• Reporting Requirements
  Detailed test reports must include rope identification, load steps, corresponding displacement readings, deformation values, number of cycles, and jaw specifications, ensuring transparency and reproducibility.

Applications

• Wire Rope Manufacturing and Quality Control
  ISO 16839 provides manufacturers and quality assurance labs a standardized method to verify the lateral strength and deformation properties of wire ropes before market release.

• Industry Usage in Multilayer Spooling
  Steel wire ropes in applications like crane hoisting, mining, marine, and elevator systems often undergo lateral compressions due to multilayer spooling processes. Assessment of transverse rigidity helps predict rope performance and fatigue resistance in these environments.

• Rope Selection and Certification
  Suppliers and end-users can use this standard to select ropes with certified transverse rigidity, ensuring safety and performance for specific operational loads without axial stress.

Related Standards

• ISO 7500-1 – Verification of static uniaxial testing machines used to ensure accuracy of compression testing equipment employed in ISO 16839 testing.

• ISO 463 – Defines mechanical dial gauge characteristics critical for precise lateral displacement measurements during testing.

• ISO 17893 – Steel wire ropes vocabulary, designation, and classification, providing definitions consistent with terms used in ISO 16839.

• ISO 2768-2 & ISO 1302 – Geometrical tolerances and surface texture indications relevant for manufacturing and documenting rope components and testing jaws.

Keywords: ISO 16839, steel wire ropes, transverse rigidity, lateral deformation test, no axial load, multilayer spooling, steel wire rope testing, compression testing, lateral force resistance, degree of deformation, wire rope qualification, international standard.