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A new mathematical model predicts a knot's stability
Phys .Org ^ | 3 Jan 2020 | Jennifer Chu

Posted on 01/03/2020 8:07:28 AM PST by DUMBGRUNT

But what exactly makes one knot more stable than another has not been well-understood, until now.

MIT mathematicians and engineers have developed a mathematical model that predicts how stable a knot is, based on several key properties, including the number of crossings involved and the direction in which the rope segments twist as the knot is pulled tight.

With confidence in their model, Patil then simulated more complicated knots, taking note of which knots experienced more pressure and were therefore stronger than other knots. Once they categorized knots based on their relative strength, Patil and Dunkel looked for an explanation for why certain knots were stronger than others. To do this, they drew up simple diagrams for the well-known granny, reef, thief, and grief knots, along with more complicated ones, such as the carrick, zeppelin, and Alpine butterfly.

(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: alexanderthegreat; boyscouts; godsgravesglyphs; gordionknot; knots
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To: glorgau

Knots do not exist in four dimensions. Just some more useless info I have gleaned over the years.


21 posted on 01/03/2020 9:45:56 AM PST by fhayek
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To: DUMBGRUNT
The Pioneering merit badge in Boy Scouts teaches a lot or rope work, including a number of very effective knots. There usefulness remains throughout life.

It is interesting that someone figured out how to apply mathematics to knots. That is spectacular.

22 posted on 01/03/2020 9:52:41 AM PST by GingisK
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To: MV=PY

Thanks! I was familiar with it. Nasty thing.

I have shown this knot to hundreds of people, yes rock climbers have an interest but no use in this knot.

Only one, a coworker had a solid guess on the name.
He had been a commercial fisherman from Main and a sailor; not a Boyscout or climber.

And not in the Bluejackets’s Manual that my Navy father had in the house.


23 posted on 01/03/2020 9:55:57 AM PST by DUMBGRUNT
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To: gundog

Arkansas Knife Knot

Thanks, that’s a keeper!
I was thinking it was a clone of the famous ‘hatcher knot’.


24 posted on 01/03/2020 9:59:00 AM PST by DUMBGRUNT
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To: DUMBGRUNT

What’s your opinion of a bowline with a bight? easy to untie, shouldn’t need a hatchet or a a knife.


25 posted on 01/03/2020 10:50:57 AM PST by sasportas
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To: DUMBGRUNT

I think I first ran across it here:

https://www.animatedknots.com/constrictor-knot-twisting-method

I would *never* have been able to name it if you showed it to me! My brain remembers the patterns, not the names (LOL!).


26 posted on 01/03/2020 11:03:13 AM PST by MV=PY (The Magic Question: Who's paying for it?)
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To: sasportas

bowline with a bight?

I learned it from my Navy father at a young age, played with it as a Boyscout. Never used it or seen it used as a climber.

Used one-inch webbing to make a Swiss seat for many years.

Some say it is unstable with unequal loading of the loops?
Not something I’d want to contemplate on a hanging belay.


27 posted on 01/03/2020 11:14:39 AM PST by DUMBGRUNT
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To: StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; 2ndDivisionVet; 31R1O; ...
Not really about Alexander the Great, but I just knew someone would bring him up. It's like we're all in a liberal arts school. :^)
The Big Bang Theory - Penny Solves String Theory

The Big Bang Theory - Penny Solves String Theory

28 posted on 01/04/2020 9:24:51 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

Tying a small knot on this thread so I can find my way back to it...


29 posted on 01/04/2020 9:47:45 AM PST by Hegemony Cricket (< < Wandering aimfully > >)
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To: Hegemony Cricket

I see you got yourself a forget me knot.


30 posted on 01/04/2020 10:13:35 AM PST by Redcitizen (Tagline not secure.)
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To: SunkenCiv

31 posted on 01/04/2020 10:25:16 AM PST by a fool in paradise (Decade of decision for America)
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To: a fool in paradise

lol

“I left my harp in Sam Clam’s disco!”

“Wait ‘til the nun signs, Shelly.”

“Let your pages do the walking through the yellow fingers.”

“Silly Rabbi, kicks are for Trids.”

“If the Foo ****s, wear it.”


32 posted on 01/04/2020 10:50:13 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: DUMBGRUNT
Wrists crossed behind the back; there is NO ESCAPE!

Japanese knots flummox me and I don't know how to tie a single one of them. They do look like a form of torture to me and I'll bet they have been used just for that purpose countless times.

One of the best knot references I own is The Encyclopedia of Knots and Fancy Rope Work by Hensel and Graumont. It predates Ashley by 10 years, but has become very scarce. You can buy it now, but when I bought mine I was on a waiting list for two or three years before it became available. It probably isn't as popular as Ashley because it's not a friendly howto book and there aren't always tying instructions accompanying the knots they cover, just pictures that are detailed enough you can figure out how to tie something yourself, without much handholding.

It has THE BEST handcuff knot I've ever seen. Once I figured out a way to tie it, I couldn't believe how secure it was, due perhaps in part to its many crossings, at least a dozen or so of them, yet is relatively quick and easy to tie. It's not covered by Ashley, or any other book I've ever seen. The authors point out that it was used on old time ships to bind prisoners. You can bet your boots that many a man went to the gallows bound by it.

I've given up trying to find it in other books, or even a mention, picture or drawing of it online. If ever the SHTF, we're going to need it! I've been thinking of taking a pic and posting it here myself. It'll put the "handcuff" crap you see in most books, including Ashley, to shame. Not counting your Japanese knot, of course. I would HATE to be tied up with THAT thing!

33 posted on 01/04/2020 2:23:51 PM PST by LibWhacker
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To: LibWhacker

It looks like an interesting reference book.

Abe books, $12.36 used.

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30264305683&searchurl=sortby%3D17%26tn%3DEncyclopedia%2BKnots%2BFancy%2BRope%2BWork&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title1

And surprisingly many nearby libraries have it!

8” x10” and about 700 pages, might take me a year to look through it!

Thanks.


34 posted on 01/04/2020 3:38:06 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT
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To: LibWhacker

PS:

You talked me into it!!!

I was going to wait and talk to #1 Son about this book,but he is out ice climbing.

He’s a history teacher and enjoys this sort of book...

So I fished around under the cushions and in the usual spots for extra change, and went for it!

Thank you for pointing it out.

If I just leaf through all 700 pages and #1 son the same, only A PENNY PER PAGE VIEW!


35 posted on 01/04/2020 4:02:23 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT
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To: DUMBGRUNT

LOL, okay that’s great. I hope you and your son enjoy it. Former library book. Twelve bucks is a great price! Congratulations!

Yes, it’s a hefty tome. And like one of the reviewers on Amazon I think said, I haven’t read it cover to cover, just spent many, many enjoyable hours thumbing through it... tying the various knots, or trying to, sometimes with success, sometimes not (sometimes knot?), lol. I mean, some of the knots are just amazing.

When you get it, take a look at some of the compound knots used in underwater salvaging work: truly amazing fascinating things! And the authors’ discussion of them, their history (and the other knots as well), always educational. You’ll never find stuff like this anywhere else, afaik. A real learning experience. I love Ashley. But this book is special.

Oh, PS... Don’t forget to check out that handcuff knot. You’re going to love it!


36 posted on 01/04/2020 4:18:23 PM PST by LibWhacker
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To: LibWhacker
"You’ll never find stuff like this anywhere else, afaik. A real learning experience. I love Ashley. But this book is special."

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Heavy rain mixed with snow all day today, not a problem because I have my new to me Encyclopedia of Knots and Fancy Rope Work.

Just WOW.
I wondered how they came up with three thousand knots, not computer-generated now I know, Many are works of art.
The Chinese button, mats and picture frames...

Paging through the book on my lap and googling the highlights, nice.

I have known some that made expired climbing ropes into spiral mats, stitched together.
#42 on plate 140, ornamental weaving that's what I want! And I have an old 50-meter x 11mm, very colorful...
The book gives some basics and youtube has the details. Edelrid (inventor of the kernmantel rope)provides printer-ready templates for a mat weave.

The book is dated 1958 and in pristine condition.

Thank you very much.

37 posted on 01/11/2020 3:56:11 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT
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To: DUMBGRUNT
I have known some that made expired climbing ropes into spiral mats, stitched together. #42 on plate 140, ornamental weaving that's what I want!

You might also want to check out The Marlinspike Sailor. Definitely a classic. I lean to working knots, which isn't to say I can't appreciate a beautiful work of art when I see it. And there are both aplenty in these pages... Wouldn't you know it, sailors have both covered! :-)

My EK&FRW is missing! I know it's not really missing. It probably got packed up last time we were thinking of selling this place, and put in storage.

Really happy you're enjoying the book.

38 posted on 01/13/2020 4:13:04 AM PST by LibWhacker
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To: LibWhacker
I'm getting in deep, and it is your fault!

I haven't told my son about the book, he will enjoy it.
But I did enquire about a favorite rope that I had taken a hard fall on. Climbing ropes are rated on the number of HARD falls they can sustain. And this rope was near its limit of six.
Late last night I was thinking about how I could work in a closed weave mat (plate 157 #309) with a simple spiral of a second rope around it.
I used to make my own gear and have a heavy-duty walking foot sewing machine that MIGHT be able to sew across rows of 11mm. Now mostly I make felted wool quilts.

...Clicking on your link what do I see on the cover?
A CLOSED WEAVE WITH A SPIRAL AROUND IT!!!

A library just a few miles off has it on the shelf, but no, I found it for $4.35. Totally lacking self-control... should be here Friday.

A quick side trip into terra incognita, some stout teflon thread on the machine, some 11mm and it stomps right through it, without complaint.
HO,HO,HO! And away we go.

I usually waste my time on my bike, rowing machine, and sewing machines and now something new.
Thank you again.

PS:
What is EK&FRW?
My knot experience is mostly from climbing, a narrow focus.

39 posted on 01/13/2020 9:00:21 AM PST by DUMBGRUNT
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To: DUMBGRUNT
What is EK&FRW?

Encyclopedia of Knots and Fancy Rope Work. Sorry, I'm lazy, very lazy! :)

Wow, climbing... I get shaky on a step stool. I could never do it. But I'm in awe of those who do. And I LOVE the knots!

40 posted on 01/13/2020 1:12:26 PM PST by LibWhacker
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