Topband: Ends for older Phillystran

[Bill Wichers]

The bar idea would probably significantly reduce the allowable tension on the cable, similar to what knotting does, due to the force at each "bite point" weakening the cable. I suppose if the cable was sufficiently oversized this wouldn't pose a problem, but I'd certainly expect such a clamping method to effectively reduce the allowable tension significantly below the normal rated load.

I'm actually a little surprised a dead end / preform isn't supposed to be used with the straight-strand version of the cable. Those grips work by compression of the cable they are "grabbing", and it's a fairly even pressure over the length of the gripped area. If one could be found that was the correct diameter for the cable being used it might be worth a shot, but I completely agree with Tom -- TEST ANYTHING YOU TRY BEFORE USING IT FOR REAL!  He's also correct that dynamic loading is much worse than static loading. Wind causes vibration in towers and guys and that can cause your clamps  to loosen over time, especially if they were marginal to begin with.

   -Bill


> Has anyone thought of a long rectangular bar with multiple champhered
> holes, with the Phillystran woven through from side-to-side? With enough
> weaves, this should self-tension with just a single clamp on the far end.
> Regardless, I would test pull and see what breaks first at what tension.
> 
> 73 Tom
> 
> _________________
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