Round robin testing of synthetic fibre ropes for application in marine renewable energy

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from CRC Press via the DOI in this recordRENEW 2020: 4th International Conference on Renewable Energies Offshore, 12-15 October 2020, Lisbon, PortugalThe unique design requirements of mooring systems in Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) installations re-quire detailed numerical and empirical investigations as well as offshore experience to adopt and certify fi-bre ropes in the marine renewable energy industry. Laboratories provide a controlled environment for quick, inexpensive and repeatable testing compared to field deployment and enable a range of parameters to be studied. Uncertainties may be introduced in the laboratory test results because of effects associated with in-dividual facilities (such as instrumentation accuracy, control system and analysis methods) despite following the same protocol. This paper presents the outcomes of a round robin testing campaign conducted at two test facilities to conduct a comparative analysis by monitoring the implementation of the test program and ana-lysing the results to highlight differences between facilities and suggest best practice for fibre rope testing in the MRE industry.European Union Horizon 202