Which statement about wedge fittings is true?

Which statement about wedge fittings is true?

• A. They increase wire rope strength.
• B. They reduce wire rope strength by about 4% or more.
• C. They do not affect rope strength.
• D. They are never used in marine operations.

Answer: (B)

Wedge fittings weaken wire rope because the wedging action crushes and distorts the strands inside the socket, creating local stress concentrations and reducing the rope’s effective cross-section. This means the rope’s breaking strength and working-load limit are lowered, typically by about 4% or more depending on rope size and construction. That’s why the statement stating a strength reduction is true. Wedge fittings do not increase strength, they do affect strength, and they are commonly used in marine operations, so the other ideas aren’t correct.

Wedge fittings weaken wire rope because the wedging action crushes and distorts the strands inside the socket, creating local stress concentrations and reducing the rope’s effective cross-section. This means the rope’s breaking strength and working-load limit are lowered, typically by about 4% or more depending on rope size and construction. That’s why the statement stating a strength reduction is true. Wedge fittings do not increase strength, they do affect strength, and they are commonly used in marine operations, so the other ideas aren’t correct.