A Study of the Elastic Properties of Small-Size Wire Cable

Abstract

In aircraft work use is made of several varieties of small-diameter steel cable knowledge of the physical characteristics of which is important for efficient design. The present paper gives results of a series of tests carried out at McCook Field, Dayton, Ohio, in which it is shown that the modulus of elasticity of small-sized wire aircraft cable varies from 15,000,000 to 28,000,000, depending upon the size and type of the cable. The maximum difference between moduli of specimens of the same size and type of cable may be as high as 3,000,000.

It was also found that the modulus of elasticity may be raised by loading the cable below the elastic limit, and that resting the cable does not seem to have any definite effect on the modulus. The elastic limit may be raised by loading the cable a little beyond this point, the maximum increase obtained amounting to 63 per cent of the original elastic limit.