Non-Uniformly Wire Rack Deck Loads

Non-Uniformly Wire Rack Deck Loads

When reviewing a customer’s load capacity for wire deck, it is important to make sure the load is uniformly distributed.  Capacity ratings are based on Uniformly Distributed Loads.  If a customer has a line, concentrated or point load, this is considered a Non-Uniformly Distributed Load.  This type of load may require a special design to avoid risk of failure.

Definitions:

Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL):  Any static load which is evenly distributed over the entire surface on the rack deck.  This means the product being stored on the deck must cover the entire deck from side to side and front to back.

Uniformly Distributed Load

Line Load:  Any static load which distributes its weight in a concentrated line.  For example, a load on a pallet which only has two boards running parallel with the wire deck channels.  This could cause the wire to carry the entire load.

Line Load

Concentrated Load: Any static load which is not uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the decking section.  For example, a 2500# barrel placed in the center of a deck.

Concentrated Load

Point Load: Any static load that is concentrated to particular points on the deck.  For example, a load with four small feet resting on the deck.

Point Load

Source: NA Show Session 116 and RMI FAQ Page