Rope

A rope is a group of yarns, plies, fibres, or strands that are twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. Because ropes have high tensile strength, they can be very useful for pulling, lifting, and holding things in place.

Ropes are thicker and stronger than similar materials like cord, string, and twine, which makes them suitable for many practical tasks. People have used ropes for thousands of years in many different ways, from building structures to sailing ships.

Today, ropes are still important in many jobs and activities, such as construction, climbing, and even in everyday household tasks. Their ability to be strong yet flexible makes them a valuable tool in many situations.

Construction

Ropes can be made from many types of long, stringy materials, either natural or synthetic. Natural materials include things like Manila hemp, linen, and cotton, while synthetic materials include nylon, polyester, and polypropylene. Synthetic ropes are usually stronger and don’t rot as easily as natural ones, but they can sometimes be slippery or damaged by sunlight.

The way the strands are twisted or braided in a rope helps it stay together and share the weight it carries more evenly. This means that all parts of the rope help support whatever is being lifted or pulled.

Size measurement

Because rope has been used for a long time, many ways to measure its size have developed. In systems that use inches, big ropes — like those on ships — are measured by their circumference in inches. Smaller ropes are measured by dividing their circumference by three to get an approximate diameter. In the metric system, rope size is given in millimetres. Today, the best way to measure rope internationally is by its mass per metre, in kilograms. Even when using metric units, some people still use "rope numbers" for large ropes, which are their circumferences in inches.

Main article: Imperial and US customary measurement systems
Main article: pi

Use

Rope has been used since prehistoric times. It is very important in many areas such as construction, seafaring, exploration, sports, theatre, and communications. Many types of knots have been developed to fasten with rope, join ropes, and use rope to create mechanical advantage. Pulleys can redirect the pulling force of a rope in another direction, multiply its lifting or pulling power, and distribute a load over multiple parts of the same rope to increase safety and decrease wear.

Winches and capstans are machines designed to pull ropes. Knotted ropes have historically been used for measuring and performing mathematical calculations. For example, Ancient Egyptian rope stretchers used knotted ropes to measure distances, medieval European shipbuilders and architects performed calculations using arithmetic ropes, and some pre-colonial South American cultures used quipu for numerical record-keeping.

History

Ropes have been used since prehistoric times for hunting, pulling, fastening, attaching, carrying, lifting, and climbing. The earliest ropes were likely natural plant fibers, such as vines, that people twisted or braided together. One of the oldest pieces of rope ever found is a tiny three-ply cord from a Neanderthal site, about 50,000 years old.

The ancient Egyptians were among the first to develop special tools for making rope, using fibers from water reeds, date palms, flax, grass, papyrus, leather, or animal hair. These ropes helped them move huge stones for building monuments. In China, hemp ropes were used starting around 2800 BC. Over time, rope making spread across Asia, India, and Europe. During the Middle Ages, long buildings called ropewalks were used to make very long ropes for ships. Today, many ropes are made from synthetic fibers like nylon, which were first used during World War II.

Styles

Laid rope, also called twisted rope, is the most common form of rope in Western history. It usually has three strands and is twisted in a right-handed direction. Twisted ropes are made by first spinning fibres into yarns, then twisting these yarns into strands, and finally twisting the strands together to form the rope.

Braided ropes are made by weaving strands of fibre together in a tubular shape. These ropes do not twist when under stress, making them useful for tasks like rappelling. Braided ropes are often made from materials like nylon, polyester, or polypropylene, each offering different properties such as strength and water resistance.

Rock climbing uses special types of ropes. Dynamic ropes stretch to absorb falls and are made with a core of twisted fibres and a braided outer layer. Static ropes, which do not stretch much, are used for tasks like caving and rescue operations. These ropes must meet strict safety standards set by organizations like the UIAA and CEN.

Gallery of μCT/micro-CT images and animations

The gallery features a collection of images and animations showcasing different views and sections of ropes. These include two-dimensional images, two-dimensional flight-throughs, three-dimensional renderings, and three-dimensional flight-throughs, providing a detailed look at the structure and composition of ropes from various perspectives.

Handling

Rope made from hemp, cotton, or nylon should be stored in a cool, dry place to keep it in good condition. To prevent tangling, it is usually coiled, and the ends are often bound with twine (whipping), tape, or heat shrink tubing to stop them from fraying.

It is important to inspect ropes regularly, especially those used in important tasks like climbing or boating. Ropes should be replaced if they show signs of wear or if they receive a sudden sharp pull. Avoiding corrosive liquids, high temperatures, and stepping on climbing ropes helps keep them safe and strong.

Terminology

"Rope" is a material and a tool. When it is used for a specific job, it is often called a "line", especially in sailing. For example, lines that control sails are called "sheets", like a jib sheet. A halyard is a line used to raise and lower a sail, often with a shackle on its end. Other examples of lines include anchor line, mooring line, fishing line, and clothesline. Some ropes keep their name in special uses, like man rope, bolt rope, and bell rope.