Sheer reduction is achieved by what modification?

• A. Adding a second carabiner to increase the area, helps protect the rope
• B. Increasing rope diameter
• C. Using a friction pad
• D. Reducing rope length

Answer: (A)

Distributing the load over a larger contact area reduces shear on the rope. When the rope runs through a single carabiner, the contact zone is relatively small, so the load can create high local stress where the rope touches the hardware. Adding a second carabiner increases the area the rope interacts with and creates a gentler load path, spreading forces more evenly. This lowers peak shear forces on the fibers and sheath, helping protect the rope from abrasion or damage. The other options don’t meaningfully change how the load is distributed along the rope path: increasing diameter changes overall rope strength but not contact area; a friction pad affects friction more than load distribution; reducing rope length doesn’t alter where or how the rope bears load.