Determining the Safest Anchoring Knot in a Fall Arrest System by Means of Static Tests
Pedro Ignacio Sáez,
Elena Ángela Carrión,
Belén Ferrer,
Encarnación García,
Juan Francisco Monge
Affiliations
Pedro Ignacio Sáez
Building Sciences and Urbanism Department, University of Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
Elena Ángela Carrión
Cresmes, Research Group for Testing, Simulation and Modelling Structures in Civil Engineering and Architecture, Civil Engineering Department, University of Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
Belén Ferrer
Civil Engineering Department, University of Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
Encarnación García
Building Sciences and Urbanism Department, University of Alicante, Carretera de San Vicente del Raspeig s/n, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
Juan Francisco Monge
Department Statistics, Mathematics and Informatics, Universitas Miguel Hernández, Avenida Universidad s/n, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain
Today, rope access systems (RASs) and fall arrest systems (FASs) incorporate significant technological innovations. This research aims to determine the safest knot to be used in RASs. The most secure knots are those that leave the most resistance in the rope. Static laboratory tests, followed by an extensive statistical analysis of the obtained data, were carried out under controlled conditions. Five types of anchor knots were selected and studied using three rope models with similar diameters, and we analysed the symmetrical versions in the dextrorotational direction. Thirty break tests were performed for each rope model. The total number of breakage tests was 90. The double overhand knot proved to be the safest knot with an average efficiency of 61.82%. A better understanding of the behaviour of knots and their correct use in FASs will be key to accident prevention.
