The distance between the first strand and last strand is the

The distance between the first strand and last strand is the

• A. lay length
• B. rope length
• C. strand length
• D. pitch length

Answer: (A)

In a laid rope, the strands are wound helically around the rope’s center. The lay length is that axial distance over which the strands complete one full twist and return to a like position relative to the rope. It’s effectively the distance from the first strand to the last strand along the rope as you move along its length, since after advancing by one lay length you’ve rotated through a full turn. That’s why the distance between the first and last strand is described by lay length. Pitch length is related—it’s the axial distance for a strand to complete one turn around the rope—but in a regular lay rope the lay length and pitch length are typically the same, so the term that matches the described spacing is lay length.

In a laid rope, the strands are wound helically around the rope’s center. The lay length is that axial distance over which the strands complete one full twist and return to a like position relative to the rope. It’s effectively the distance from the first strand to the last strand along the rope as you move along its length, since after advancing by one lay length you’ve rotated through a full turn. That’s why the distance between the first and last strand is described by lay length. Pitch length is related—it’s the axial distance for a strand to complete one turn around the rope—but in a regular lay rope the lay length and pitch length are typically the same, so the term that matches the described spacing is lay length.