ET-3000.

00-6651-962-PGT-001 AGO/2001

POLYESTER ROPE FOR MOORING

LINE

Specification

1 PURPOSE

This Standard specifies the main characteristics of polyester rope used in platform mooring
systems.

2 REFERENCES

OCIMF Guidelines for the Purchasing and Testing of SPM Hawsers, first edition 2000.
CORDAGE INSTITUTE CI 1503-99

3 DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this standard the following definitions apply:

3.1 linear density: Mass per unit of length.

3.2 tex: Measure unit for linear density in g/km.

3.3 specific strength: Strength per unit of linear density, also known as tenacity, measured in
Newtons per tex.

3.4 minimum ultimate strength (applied to fittings): The minimum force that the fitting
shall sustain without fracture.

3.5 minimum breaking load (MBL): The load in tonnes that the rope and the fittings shall
Cesar Jose Moraes Del Vecchio/RJ/Petrobrassustain without fracture.

3.6 proof force (applied to fittings): The force that the fitting shall sustain in a static test as
specified in 6.2.4.

3.7 proof load (applied to fittings): The load in tonnes that the fitting shall sustain in a static
test as specified in 6.2.4.

PROPERTY OF PETROBRAS 15 pages

Note 1: Clauses with a vertical line are different from the Feb/2000 edition.
Note 2: This standard was prepared by a Petrobras work group formed by Gustavo Adolfo
Villela de Castro, Ricardo Célio Freire Gonçalves, Luís Cláudio Sousa Costa, Ronaldo Rosa
Rossi, Jairo Bastos de Araújo and Ricardo Teles Araújo. This standard substitutes the
Feb/2000 edition.
 ET-3000.00-6651-962-PGT-001 AGO/2001

4 REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Yarn specific strength

The polyester multifilament yarn used in the core of the rope shall present a minimum specific
strength of 0,78 N/tex, as tested according to 6.1. When polyester multifilament yarn is used
in the protective jacket, its minimum specific strength shall be 0,73 N/tex.

The polyester multifilament yarn in the core shall be marine finished. The marine finished
shall diminish the internal abrasion of the wet yarns, verified by the test wet yarn-on-yarn
abrasion of OCIMF Guidelines for the Purchasing and Testing of SPM Hawsers.

Note: The test method prescribed in above OCIMF shall be performed as described in the Cordage Institute
CI 1503. The marine finishing shall be proved to be of the good quality and above of the minimum shown in the
figure 1 below.

Minimum number of cycles to rupture

25000
Abrasion Cycles to Failure

20000 19300

15000 15100

10900
10000

5000

0
0,1 0,11 0,12 0,13 0,14 0,15 0,16 0,17 0,18
Applied Load (g/dtex)

Figure 1 – Minimum Requirement for Plot of Yarn-on-Yarn Abrasion Test Data (tentative)

4.2 Rope

Polyester ropes shall comply with the following requirements:

a) construction;
b) minimum breaking load (MBL);
c) minimum core specific strength;
d) dynamic modulus;
e) braided protective jacket minimum thickness;
f) length;
g) termination;
h) fatigue life (type testing). See Annex A;
i) sand filter against soil penetration (type testing). See Annex A.

4.2.1 Construction

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 ET-3000.00-6651-962-PGT-001 AGO/2001

The rope shall be torque balanced.

A rope is considered torque-balanced, if it generates a maximum torque of 255 Nm when

submitted to 10% of the specified MBL.
NOTE 1 – Rope which construction is inherently torque balanced, like for example rope composed of parallel
braided subropes or twisted subropes (in this case with half left-handed and half right-handed) does not need to
have its torque generation verified.

4.2.2 Nominal minimum breaking load

The nominal minimum breaking load, tested according to 6.2.1, shall be in accordance with
Table 1.

Table 1 - Rope minimum breaking load and accessories

Fiber rope minimum breaking load Chain and accessories minimum

breaking load1
500 t 417 t
630 t 525 t
710 t 592 t
800 t 666 t
900 t 750 t
1000 t 834 t
1120 t 934 t
1250 t 1050 t
1400 t 1200 t

4.2.3 Minimum core specific strength

The rope minimum core specific strength shall be 0,47 N/tex, measured according to 6.2.1.1.
All samples tested shall comply with the minimum value specified herein.

4.2.4 Dynamic modulus

Dynamic modulus shall be between 9 and 14 N/tex, after 100 cycles between 10% and 30% of
MBL, at a frequency from 0,03 to 0,1 Hz, obtained in step 8 of rope test procedure specified
in 6.2.1.

4.2.5 Protective jacket requirements

The typical section of a rope shall comprise a rope core, providing intended strength, stiffness,
and a cover, to hold elements together (if needed), and to protect rope core from mechanical
damages (mainly abrasion) during handling and in service. The protection shall allow the
water entrance when imersed. Extruded or braided jacket may be used.

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Polyester rope shall be designed with a extra safety load of 20% or 200 t, whichever is lower, compared with
chains and accessories.

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The protective jacket shall have a minimum thickness of 7,0 mm.

4.2.6 Length

The standardized lengths of the rope sections shall be multiple of one hundred meters
(100 m), measured under 20% of MBL according to 6.2.3. The actual length of rope supplied
shall be the specified length within ± 1%.

The length of the rope sections shall allow their transportation in steel reels specified in clause
9.

For each supplied rope the actual length shall be measured at the reeling handling tension.

4.2.7 Termination

The termination shall be made of splice plus abrasion protection polyurethane coating.

4.2.8 Fatigue life (type test)

There are two types of fatigue life test:

a) Test of 100.000 cycles;
b) Life Endurance Fatigue Test.

In the Test of 100.000 cycles the rope shall withstand the MBL specified for the rope after
being subjected to 100.000 cycles according to A.6.1.

In the Life Endurance Fatigue Test the rope shall withstand the number of cycles of Figure 2
without breaking.

4.2.9 Sand filter against soil penetration (type test)

The rope shall be provided with a sand filter between the core and the protective jacket to
avoid soil penetration with the size 20 µm or greater when tested according to Annex A.

5 SAMPLING

5.1 Yarn specific strength

Ten (10) samples shall be selected at random to be tested for yarn specific strength. For the
first supply, the yarn shall be tested to verify the efficiency of its marine finished.

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Fatigue Curve N.Rm=K

1,80

1,60

1,40

1,20

1,00

0,80

0,60
3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 5,5 6,0 6,5 7,0 7,5
lo g (N )

polyesterrope

Figure 2 – Minimum requirement for Life Endurance Fatigue Test

5.2 Rope tests

The sampling for the first supply, where the type test shall be performed, shall be according to
Annex A.

For further supplies, when the ropes were already certified by the manufacturer as complying
with the requirements laid down in this standard, the rope tests, including breaking load, core
specific strength, length, dynamic modulus, as well as braided protective jacket thickness
verification shall be performed on one sample taken from the manufacturing process, for each
type of rope and for each supply.

6 TEST METHODS

6.1 Yarn specific strength

The yarn specific strength shall be measured according to the formula below:

1 10 BSi
Y = ×∑
10 i =1 texi
where

Y is the average yarn specific strength, in Newtons per tex;

BS is the breaking strength, in Newtons;
tex is a measure unit for linear density. It is the mass in grams per 1000 m.

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6.2 Rope tests

The rope tests, including minimum breaking load, minimum core specific strength and
dynamic modulus, shall be performed on samples with the termination.

6.2.1 Rope test procedure

The use of a test machine with a fixed crosshead speed is acceptable, provided time to failure
is between 3,5 and 6,5 minutes.

The rope test procedure apply to verification of rope MBL, minimum core specific strenght
and dynamic modulus. The test shall be performed according to the steps below:
1) the sample shall be soaked for at least 24 hours in fresh water;
2) the test piece shall be installed in test machine;
3) a load of 2% of MBL shall be applied;
4) A mark shall be done 150 mm from the last turn of splices of each end (See figure 3);
5) the extensometer shall be installed in a section of the rope undisturbed by the
termination;
6) a tension of 50% of the rope MBL shall be applied at a rate of 10% MBL per minute and
held for 30 minutes;
7) the tension shall be reduced to 20% of the rope MBL, at a rate of 10% MBL per minute;
8) a cycling tension between 10 and 30% of the rope MBL shall be applied 100 times at a
frequency between 0,03 and 0,1 Hz;
9) a cycling tension between x% to y% (see Note) of the rope MBL shall be applied 100
times at a frequency between 0,03 to 0,1 Hz.
10) the sample shall be unloaded, the extensometer removed and the rope pulled to failure,
at a loading rate of approximately 20% MBL per minute.

Figure 3– Mark on testing machine with bollards for eye splices

NOTE: If the breaking load of the test piece is smaller than 100% MBL and the breakage occurs outside the
limits defined by the marks, since the force registered at the time of breaking is not less than 90% of the
minimum specified breaking force, another test piece may be prepared and a new test performed. If the result of
the second test on the another test piece continues to be below 100% MBL, the rope is considered not to comply
with this specification.

The rope test shall include the measurement of

a) gauge length elongation (three plots):
1) load versus elongation encompassing load steps 5 to 7;
2) load versus elongation for the 100th cycle, step 8;
3) load versus elongation for the 100th cycle between x% to y% (see Note) of MBL, step
9.
b) load versus overall elongation (stroke), four plots as below:

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1) load steps 5 to 7;
2) the 100th cycle of load step 8;
3) the 100th cycle between x% to y% of MBL, step 9;
4) load step 10.

Note: 1/3 of the samples shall be tensioned between 20 to 30%, 1/3 shall be tensioned between 30 to 40% and
the other 1/3, between 40 to 50%.

6.2.1.1 Core specific strength

The rope core specific strength shall be calculated as follows:

BS
T =
LD0

where
T is the rope core specific strength;
BS is the actual breaking strength of the cable in Newtons, tested according to 6.2.1,
step 10;
LD0 is the linear density of the rope core measured in tex. It is the calculated mass of the
core in grams per 1000 m, at 2% of MBL.

6.2.1.2 Dynamic modulus

The dynamic modulus is calculated after the rope is subjected to 6.2.1, step 8 and 9. The
dynamic modulus is calculated, as follows:

a) after 100 cycles between 10% and 30% of MBL (step 8):

F30 − F10
DM 1 = tex
L30 − L10
L10
where

DM1 is the dynamic modulus, in N/tex, measured in the 100th cycle;

F30-F10 is the 20% of minimum breaking strength (MBS) in N;
tex is the linear density of the rope core measured in tex (grams per 1000 m);
L30 − L10
is the elongation between 10 and 30% of MBS for the 100th cycle.
L10

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b) after 100 cycles between 20 and 30%, 30 and 40% and 40% and 50% of MBL (step 9):

F40 − F30 F50 − F40

F30 − F20
DM 30→40 = tex DM 40→50 = tex
= tex
DM 20→30 L40 − L30 L50 − L40
L30 − L20
L30 L40
L20

where

DM20→30 is the dynamic modulus, in N/tex, measured in the 100th cycle, between 20
and 30% of MBL;
DM30→40 is the dynamic modulus, in N/tex, measured in the 100th cycle, between 30
and 40% of MBL;
DM40→50 is the dynamic modulus, in N/tex, measured in the 100th cycle, between 40
and 50% of MBL;
F30-F20 is the 10% of minimum breaking strength (MBS) in N between 20% and
30% of MBL;
F40-F30 is the 10% of minimum breaking strength (MBS) in N between 30% and
40% of MBL;
F50-F40 is the 10% of minimum breaking strength (MBS) in N between 40% and
50% of MBL;
tex is the linear density of the rope core measured in tex (grams per 1000 m);

L30 − L20
is the elongation between 20 and 30% of MBL for the 100th cycle;
L20

L40 − L30
is the elongation between 30 and 40% of MBL for the 100th cycle;
L30

L50 − L40
is the elongation between 40 and 50% of MBL for the 100th cycle.
L40

NOTE: The dynamic modulus between 20 and 30%, 30 and 40% and 40 and 50% of MBL shall be calculated for
design purposes only. There is no acceptance criteria to this parameter.

6.2.2 Protective jacket thickness

The thickness is verified taking out the jacket and measuring it directly by an apropriate
instrument.

6.2.3 Length measurement

Length measurement is calculated by the following formula:

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L = MT x1000 / LD20

where,
L is the length of the rope in meters;
MT is the net mass of the total rope length in kg;
LD20 is the linear density of the rope in grams per meter after the rope being cycled and
under to 20% of MBL calculated according to A.5

7 REPORT

A complete and detailed report of type test is to be supplied, including yarn manufacturer,
type and fiber coating and all rope characteristics that may influence the mechanical
properties, like design, material specification, method of manufacture, including protective
coating and terminations, with sketches and pictures.

For further supplies, manufacturing report of supplied ropes shall also be furnished.

8 CERTIFICATION

The certificate of approval and control, issued by the classification society sponsored for the
platform classification, shall be presented together with the ropes.

It shall be allowed to Petrobras access to all Classification Society documents and information
related to this subject during the ropes approval test and final delivery.

9 MARKING AND PACKAGING

9.1 Marking

A blue tape yarn at least 3 mm wide printed with a reference identifying the manufacturer
shall be incorporated into the jacket.

NOTE –The blue tape yarn may be substituted by two yarns, with two different colors, representing the
manufacturer and a third blue yarn identifying the polyester at the discretion of manufacturer.

An identification plaque close to the splice shall be installed with the following information:
Requirement for Quotation (PCM), AFM, serial number and rope length at reeling handling
tension, according 4.2.6.

9.2 Packaging

The ropes shall be delivered in steel bobbins. The dimensions of bobbins shall be according to
the following range:
a) width between flanges : 2,50 to 4,5 m;
b) flange diameter: 4 m (max.);
c) hole diameter: between 305 and 315 mm.

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NOTE 1 – It is recommended that small bobbins have hexagon, octogon or dodecagon flanges with the
maximum height of 3,20 m.

NOTE 2 – For ropes larger than 1000 t MBL the manufacturer may use a larger bobbin. In that case the
manufacturer shall submit to Petrobras, for its approval , the design of the bobbin.

The bobbins shall be marked with the manufacturer’s trademark and with the lot identification
number. The bobbin flanges shall have enough strength to support the rope weight rolling on
the floor.

NOTE 3 –The use of containers may be allowed provided that the rope can be handled without entailing risks of
damages. The container shall be designed in such a manner as to allow ropes to be stored and handled without
being subject to bending, tangling, cutting or any other damages. In that case the manufacturer shall submit to
Petrobras, for its approval , the design of the container and the procedure for removal of ropes.

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ANNEX A
(Normative)

TYPE TESTING

A.1 General

Type tests demonstrate that ropes certified by the manufacturer as complying with the
requirements laid down in this Standard possess the mechanical properties specified in this
Standard. The purpose of these tests is to prove the design, material and method of
manufacture of each size of finished rope, including protective coating and terminations. Any
change in the design, material specification, method of manufacture, including protective
coating and terminations, which may lead to a modification of the mechanical properties as
defined in clause 4 shall require that the type tests specified in A.2 to A.6 be carried out on the
modified rope.

All ropes to be type tested shall comply with all the other requirements laid down in this
Standard. The tests specified in A.2 to A.6 shall be carried out on each size of rope of each
design, material and method of manufacture, including protective coating and terminations.

The test specified in A.7 (sand filter against soil penetration) shall be carried out in ropes of
each design, material and method of manufacture, including protective coating. Type test
done to any size of rope between 500 to 1400 t breaking load is valid for all rope sizes of the
range.

A.2 Yarn specific strength

Ten (10) samples shall be selected at random to be tested for yarn specific strength. The yarn
specific strength shall be measured according to 6.1. The average yarn specific strength shall
be according to 4.1.

A.3 Rope tests

The number of rope samples to be type tested is according Table 2.

Table 2 – Number of samples for testing

Test Number of samples
Breaking load, core specific strength and dynamic modulus 3
Linear density and typical elongation 1
Fatigue life1) 1
Sand filter against soil penetration 12)
1)
Fatigue tests performed in two different sizes are enough to qualify all sizes between
2)
One sample is enough to qualify all sizes between 500 to 1400 t breaking load.

A.4 Breaking load, core specific strength, dynamic modulus

Three samples shall be tested and each shall be capable to attend the requirements of 4.2.2
(minimum breaking load), 4.2.3 (minimum core specific strength) and 4.2.4 (dynamic
modulus).

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The test shall be performed according to 6.2.1.

NOTE: If the breaking load of only one test piece is smaller than 100% MBL and the breakage occurs outside
the limits defined by the marks, since the force registered at the time of breaking is not less than 90% of the
minimum specified breaking force, a fourth test piece may be prepared and a new test performed. If the result of
the test on the fourth test piece continues to be below 100% MBL, the rope is considered not to comply with this
specification.

A.4.1 Core specific strength

The rope core specific strength shall be calculated according to 6.2.1.1.

A.4.2 Dynamic modulus

Rope dynamic modulus shall be calculated according to 6.2.1.2.

A.5 Linear density

The linear density is calculated from a dried sample of rope with at least 2 m free (out of
splice area) taken from the manufacturing process, according the following procedure:
1) the test piece shall be installed in test machine;
2) the rope shall be submitted to the 2% of MBL and a length of about 2 m marked as a
reference length (LR0);
3) the tension shall be increased to 20% of the rope MBL, at a rate of 10% MBL per
minute;
4) a cycling tension between 15 and 25% of the rope MBL shall be applied 100 times at a
frequency between 0,03 and 0,1 Hz;
5) after cycling, the tension shall be maintained in 20% of the rope MBL and the
reference length shall be measured (LR20);
6) the tension shall be reduced to the 2% of MBL and the reference length shall be
measured again (LR2).

After performed this procedure the sample shall be cut upon the reference length marks and
weighed. The linear densities shall be calculated as below:

LD0 = MR / LR0 LD20 = MR / LR20 LD2 = MR / LR2

where

LD0 is the linear density of the rope in grams per meter as manufactured under 2% of
MBL;
LD20 is the linear density of the rope in grams per meter after the rope being cycled and
under to 20% of MBL;
LD2 is the linear density of the rope in grams per meter under 2% of MBL after
mechanically worked to the above procedure;
MR is the mass of the reference length in grams;
LR0 is the length of reference length in meter as manufactured under 2% of MBL;
LR20 is the length of reference length in meter after the rope being cycled and under to a
tension of 20% of MBL;

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LR2 is the length of reference length in meter under 2% of MBL after mechanically
worked to the above procedure.

The length of rope subjected to type test shall be according to 4.2.6.

A.6 Fatigue life test

There are two types of fatigue life test:

a) Test of 100.000 cycles;
b) Life Endurance Fatigue Test.

The manufacturer shall perform only one type of fatigue life test. It is recommended that the
manufacturer test the prototype rope according to the Life Endurance Fatigue Test. However,
the choice is of the responsible of the manufacturer. In the case of the Life Endurance Fatigue
Test be performed the Test of 100.000 cycles may be dispensed.

For both types of test only one sample shall be tested for each nominal breaking load. For
both tests the sample shall be tested with the designed terminations and with fixed end
conditions.

In the Test of 100.000 cycles the rope shall withstand the MBL specified for the rope,
according to 4.2.8.

In the Life Endurance Fatigue Test the rope shall withstand the number of cycles of Figure 2
without breaking.

A.6.1 Test of 100.000 cycles

The fatigue test shall be performed as follows:

1) the sample shall be soaked for at least 24 hours in fresh water;
2) the test piece shall be installed in test machine;
3) a load of 2% of MBL shall be applied;
4) the extensometer shall be installed in a section of the rope undisturbed by the
termination (in only one test piece);
5) a tension of 50% of the rope MBL shall be applied at a rate of 10% MBL per minute and
held for 30 minutes;
6) the tension shall be reduced to 20% of the rope MBL, at a rate of 10% MBL per minute;
7) cycle 100.000 times between 20 and 40% of rope MBL at a frequency between 0,03 to
0,1 Hz;
8) unload the sample, remove the extensometer and pull the rope to failure at a loading rate
of approximately 20% MBL per minute.

The use of a test machine with a fixed crosshead speed is acceptable, provided time to failure
is between 3,5 and 6,5 minutes.

The rope test shall include the measurement or calculation of load versus overall elongation
(stroke) in
a) the 100th cycle between 20 and 40% of rope MBL;
b) the 1000th cycle between 20 and 40% of rope MBL;
c) the 10.000th cycle between 20 and 40% of rope MBL;

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d) the 100.000th cycle between 20 and 40% of rope MBL.

A.6.2 Life Endurance Fatigue Test

The Life Endurance Fatigue Test shall be performed as follows:

1) the sample shall be soaked for at least 24 hours in fresh water;
2) the test piece shall be installed in test machine;
3) a load of 2% of MBL shall be applied;
4) the extensometer shall be installed in a section of the rope undisturbed by the
termination (in only one test piece);
5) a tension of 50% of the rope MBL shall be applied at a rate of 10% MBL per minute and
held for 30 minutes;
6) the tension shall be reduced to 30% of the rope MBL, at a rate of 10% MBL per minute;
7) cycle the number of times of Figure 2, according to the amplitude chosen, limited to the
maximum of 25% MBL (equivalent to 5% to 55% MBL), at a frequency between 0,01 to
0,1 Hz;
8) unload the sample, remove the extensometer and pull the rope to failure at a loading rate
of approximately 20% MBL per minute.

A.7 Sand filter against soil penetration

One sample shall be tested and shall be capable to attend the requirements of 4.2.9. The test
shall be performed as follows:
a) a specimen from a brand new rope with useful length of at least two times the rope
diameter shall be selected
b) the specimen ends shall be pluged with a waterproof compound;
c) the specimen shall be immersed in hiperbaric chamber with tap water with volume
sufficient to cover it, remaining 60 minutes at atmospheric pressure;
d) an amount of soil shall be added at proportion of 25% of water weight. The soil shall meet
the requirements of the Figure 4 with respect to grading;
e) a pressure of 10 MPa (ca.1450 psi) shall be applied during a period of 72 h. During this
period the soil shall not be allowed to settle and shall be kept suspended in water;
f) After this period, the pressure shall be removed and the sand filter be examined for its
efficiency in avoiding soil penetration with the size equal or greater than the stipulated in
4.2.9.

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Figure 4 – Grading of soil for sand filter test

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