What metric describes how efficiently a rope splice retains strength, typically 80-90%?

• A. Splice efficiency
• B. Crown splice
• C. High-carbon steel
• D. Bird caging

Answer: (A)

Splice efficiency is the measure of how much strength a rope retains after being spliced. It’s expressed as a percentage, typically around 80-90%, and depends on rope type and how well the splice is made. You determine it by comparing the strength of the spliced rope to the strength of the same rope intact, then multiplying by 100. This metric helps decide if a spliced rope is acceptable for a given load; if the retained strength is too low, replacing the rope or using a different splice is safer. For example, if an untapped rope has 10,000 pounds of breaking strength and the splice retains 85%, the spliced rope would be about 8,500 pounds. The other terms refer to a type of splice, a material, or a rope fault, not the retained-strength measurement.