What is the term for the ratio of the strength of a bent rope to its nominal strength rating?

The term that accurately describes the ratio of the strength of a bent rope to its nominal strength rating is bending efficiency. This term pertains to how well a rope can maintain its strength when it is bent, compared to its ideal or nominal strength when it is in a straight configuration. Bending efficiency is a critical consideration in rigging and hoisting applications, as it affects the overall performance and safety of the rope under working conditions.

Understanding this concept helps lineworkers assess the suitability of a rope for specific tasks, particularly when the rope is subject to bends, loops, or other manipulations. In contrast, the other options address different aspects of material properties or load considerations. For example, flexural strength relates to a material's ability to resist deformation under load but does not specifically capture the effectiveness of strength retention in bent conditions. Stress ratio generally considers the applied stress in relation to the material’s strength but is not a direct measure of the effect of bending. Load distribution refers to how forces are spread across materials or systems, which does not encapsulate the specific evaluation of strength in a bent rope.