Which rope condition is caused by outer strands separating under tension and appearing bunched?

• A. Bird caging
• B. Nip
• C. Lang-lay ropes
• D. Plaiting

Answer: (A)

Bird caging is the pattern you’d see when the rope’s outer strands begin to separate from the core under load and bunch together into a cage-like shape. As tension pulls on the rope, the outer strands can spread apart and rewrap around the core, creating a visible, cagey grouping of strands. This is a serious damage indication because the rope’s strength is compromised even before any visible breaks occur, and continued use can lead to sudden failure.

Nip shows up as a localized pinch or flattening from compression, not a cage of separated strands. Lang-lay refers to a rope construction style, not a damage condition. Plaiting is strands crossing over each other in a tangled, braided way from handling or fatigue, not the outer strands buckling into a bunched cage.