In this paper, the effects of broken rope components on rope failure axial strain, failure axial load and rope stiffness is studied using 3D finite element analyses. The analyses are focused on small-scale polyester ropes (ropes diameter equal to 6 mm) with different number and distribution of broken components throughout rope cross-sections. These small-scale ropes are members of bigger ropes used as deep water mooring systems. For computational purposes, ropes are subjected to extension with both ends fixed against rotation. Numerical simulations show that the reduction of the residual rope strength and the axial strain at the onset of rope failure due to the presence of broken rope components depend on the degree of asymmetry of the rope cross-section. In addition depending on the location of the broken components inside the rope and due to the accumulation of frictional forces, broken components eventually start contributing to rope response. Around the failure region, simulations demonstrate the existence of strain localization that can cause the premature failure of rope components and reduce the maximum load that a damaged rope is capable of resisting. Simulations obtained by the 3D models are compared with available experimental data obtained from static tensile tests and with the predicted rope responses obtained by using a 2D numerical model extended to include the length effect on damaged rope response. The results of this study should serve as a basis to develop more complete numerical models to predict damaged rope response. Copyright 2011, Offshore Technology Conference.