[WRE ADVISOR | BUSINESS]
Hoisting rope is a component whose weight increases exponentially as the travel
distance increases. -Johannes de Jong, Head of Technology of KONE Major Projects & Industrial Ltd.
Photo courtesy of KONE
EXTENSIVE TESTING Since the carbon fi ber hoist rope was invented in 2004, KONE has performed many tests such as lifetime, environmental eff ects, temperature behaviors, and friction properties in applicable conditions. “We were surprised at how problem-free it was,” says Pihkala. “Often, there are a lot of problems when you develop something completely new. But our faith in this started to grow very quickly.” KONE has two testing sites, one reliability lab at the
Hyvinkää site and another at the Tytyri high-rise testing facility. Tytyri’s testing facilities extend approximately 1,150 feet (350m) underground where the total strength of the carbon fi ber hoisting ropes were evaluated. “T en a third-party validation by the Lift Instituut from the Netherlands (an authorized body for both the EU and the US markets) was carried out from early on and throughout the solution creation process,” says Johannes de Jong, Head of Technology of KONE Major Projects & Industrial Ltd. KONE’s technology team jumped hurdles to test the
carbon fi ber hoisting ropes at speeds that exceeded 6mph (2.5 m/s). “T e shape and structure and the guidance of KONE UltraRope had to perform under very high speeds,” says de Jong. Consequently, the UltraRope has been tested for speeds of up to 34 mph (15 m/s) which is shy of passing four fl oors in only one second. In order to test the UltraRope fully, KONE built special bending machines, friction testers, and aging equipment. “Testing of [rope] lifetime is a slow process,” says de Jong.
URBAN & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Lightweight elevator hoisting ropes signifi cantly decrease the amount of energy needed to lift the car. De Jong notes, “Hoisting rope is a component whose weight increases exponentially as the travel distance increases.” In a parallel fashion, the amount of energy saved by using lighter ropes is also exponential. With a 1,640-feet (500m) elevator journey, there is a 15 percent energy savings over using steel wire rope. On a 2,625-feet (800m) elevator journey, the savings are over 40 percent. While elevator’s traditional steel wire ropes have an
average lifespan of seven to ten years, the carbon fi ber rope lasts at least two times longer. Even more, KONE also designed a real-time rope condition monitoring system. Passengers can travel up to 3,280 feet (1km) high in an
76 MARCH-APRIL 2014 WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE
elevator that uses carbon fi ber hoisting ropes; twice as high in a single ride than elevators using traditional steel wire ropes. In the World’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, passengers take several elevator rides to a number of sky lobbies to make it to the top fl oors. In skyscrapers that exceed approximately one hundred
fl oors, carbon fi ber hoists reduce the numbers of elevator groupings. T is reduction of mechanical space allows the designers more room to use for living spaces. Building owners save on maintenance costs because the ropes are more durable and do not need lubrication. Finally, the ropes have a resonance frequency diff erent than that of the rest of the building. So, in big storms and high winds, the elevators can continue to function safely. T e Urban Land Institute recognizes this technology as having a big impact on urbanization. With less square footage ground space covered, soaring buildings can help to decrease urban sprawl that threatens agricultural lands and habitats. Asia and the Middle East are eager to build taller buildings. If the rumors are true that there are nearly a dozen mega-tall skyscrapers (over 2,000 feet tall) in the works for 2020, the space and energy savings due to carbon fi ber hoist ropes would be tremendous. Currently, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is 2,723 feet (830m) tall. By 2018, Saudi Arabia hopes to complete its fi rst building that reaches approximately 3,280 feet (1 km).
AT ITS BEGINNING STAGES Carbon fi ber hoisting ropes are at the beginning stages for project installations. KONE’s fi rst UltraRope installation is located at the new Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore. “At present, there are some 2000 existing buildings that could benefi t from a KONE UltraRope modernization,” says de Jong. “Solutions need to be ecologically sustainable, but also need to be economically sustainable. As costs go down, lower travels will be feasible in the future.” “We are on the brink of something big. In a sense,
we have reinvented the high-rise elevator, says Pihkala. A single strand of carbon fi ber is thinner than human hair. Yet, this tiny strand is fi ve times stronger than steel and weighs two-thirds less. A tiny element in the midst of what will be yet the tallest buildings on earth turns out to have monumental, cascading eff ects on skyscrapers, and urban design for the future. ❙
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