What percentage strength does a short splice hold compared to a straight rope?

A short splice typically retains about 80% of the strength of a straight rope. This is due to the way the strands of the rope are intertwined and secured in a splice; while the process of splicing may compromise some of the fiber's integrity, skilled splicing techniques can significantly reduce this impact.

When splicing, the fibers are laid parallel and interwoven, which effectively redistributes the load across the splice. However, some loss of strength is inevitable because the area where the splice is performed may not be as strong as the original, unaltered rope. As a general guideline within the rope industry, achieving an 80% strength efficiency is recognized as a standard for short splices.

Other percentage options are likely based on varying techniques or materials, but 80% is widely accepted and supported by common practices in rope handling and splicing methods. Thus, the correct answer stems from established knowledge about the effectiveness and strength retention characteristics of a short splice compared to a continuous, straight section of rope.