Extensive comparative studies have been undertaken on various theoretical approaches used for analysing spiral strands, in order to identify their appropriate ranges of applicability. Based on the findings of this exercise, a theoretical model is proposed for analysing the coupled axial/torsional response of a stranded wire rope with either an independentwire rope or fibre core. A theoretical model is also proposed for the analysis ofaxial/torsionai coupling of locked coil cables, regarding which, there was previously a . paucity of reliable analytical or experimental information, despite their wide range of applications. Axial hysteresis of locked coil cables is estimated, and it is shown that it is significantly higher than the axial hysteresis associated with spiral strands. Simplified routines which are amenable to hand calculations are developed for obtaining the no-slip stiffness coefficients for the coupled axial/torsional stiffness matrix of axially preloaded spiral strands, with the effect of hydrostatic pressure on sheathed strands catered for. Moreover, the concept of orthotropic sheets for calculating the pattern of interwire/interlayer contact forces in spiral strands is used to determine the recovery length of a broken wire in any layer of a multi-layered spiral strand. Wherever possible, the final theoretical results are compared with experimental data from the available literature and very encouraging correlations have been found in all cases.