Three-Strand Rope

JOYPEACE

Why is a three-strand rope so popular and strong? Some people claim that it could be 10 to 15 times stronger than a singlestrand rope. They say that even a double-strand rope would only be twice as strong. Interesting. But why? I checked it out with a few engineering friends and their comments were this: It is very important when using ropes, that the strands should be equal in length. It is also important that the fibers in the rope should be the same strength. A three-strand rope guarantees that. Finally, the strands work together when pressure is exerted on them, binding the fibers just as one would squeeze a rope to increase its strength. The more a rope is stretched, the more the three strands fuse or knot together, creating more durability. Yes, a three-strand rope is not easily broken. A passage from the Bible, Ecclesiastes 4:8-12, has an interesting perspective on this subject. It mentions that when one man is always alone, he works and toils senselessly. It is hard for him to keep warm by himself. On the other hand, two are better than one, for they have a good return to their work. If one falls down, his friend can pick him up. In addition, two can keep warm when they lie down and the two of them can defend each other. Finally, in verse 12, it ends with "a cord of three strands is not quickly broken." So we ask, "What is the third link in all of this?" I propose to you that the third missing ingredient is God himself. We need God to fuse our relationship as we work and toil in this life. Yes, we need each other, but if God is not present in the formula, the strength of our rope is not there.

xiaochao

三股绳

为什么三股绳能如此普遍而且相当坚韧呢？有人指出，三股绳比单股绳的强度高10到15倍。即使是双股绳，也只能达道单股绳的两倍强度。很有趣，但是为什么呢？

为此我咨询了几位工程学方面的朋友，他们的意见是：使用绳索时，绳索的长度应与其股数成比例是很关键的，而绳索中各条绳的受力均匀也很关键，而且三股绳恰恰符合以上条件。最后，当压力施加在绳索上时，正如将各条绳挤在一起从而增加它的承受能力。绳索延伸得越长，三股绳就显得越牢固，相互就缠绕得越紧，越经久耐用。是的，一条三股绳是很不容易断开的。

圣经中的一段，传道书 4：8-12 也提出了有趣的观点。 书中提及到当一个人总是孤独，他的工作和辛劳是无意义的。他自己很难保证自己的温暖。另一方面，两人比一人好，他们的工作能有很好的回报。当一个人跌倒，他的朋友可以将他扶起来。此外，当两人睡在一起时可以保持温暖，而且两个人也能互相保护对方。最后在第12节由一个“一条三股绳不容易断开”作为结尾。所以我们问：“什么是第三条绳呢？”我告诉你缺失的第三条绳是上帝。当我们在生活中工作和辛劳时，我们需要上帝来保证我们的关系。是的，我们彼此需要对方，但如果上帝不在我们之中，维系我们绳索的力就不存在了。

这文章很难看得懂，大概就是这个意思了。不过对俺也没啥用，俺连第二根绳都没找到。