These new multi-strand twisted wire ropes, used for example for reinforcement or strengthening concrete or masonry structures, are flexible without any loss of tensile strength even when wound around a small radius: this means increased product flexibility.

This innovative solution for a durable and flexible twisted wire rope was developed by a research team from the Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Concrete and Masonry Structures, consisting of Ing. František Girgle, Ph.D., Prof. RNDr. Ing. Petr Štěpánek, CSc., Ing. Pavel Šulák, Ph.D., Ing. Vojtěch Kostiha and Ing. Petr Šimůnek, Ph.D. Also helping to bring about the invention was Ing. Jan Prokeš, an expert in technology development working at the company PREFA KOMPOZITY, a.s.

The major benefit of this new technological approach to twisted wire rope is the newfound flexibility and flexural strength of the product, which is often lacking in products generally available on the market today. Other advantages include high corrosion resistance, which is achieved by twisting the wire using non-metal FRP-based composite materials (composite fibre, artificial materials consisting of reinforcement and joining materials). The principle behind the technology for this wire rope is that it comprises a central guide string which is not twisted. Several other strings of the same diameter are then spirally wound along the circumference of the guide string. If necessary, a second layer of wound strings can be applied over the first (wound in the opposite direction) in order to increase the stability of the wire rope.

Author of the paper: Ing. Jana Hodná, Ph.D.