Calculating # of tie downs needed

[becma27]

Hi all,

I'm fastening a pallet with about 8000 lbs of equipment on it to the inside of a standard ISO shipping container. I plan on using the t slot flooring that is in place in the container to fasten to using some custom t bolts I am making up.

My question is how do I calculate the # of tie downs/fasteners I will need for this? The pallet is approx. 12ft x 4ft footprint with a center of gravity 31in off the floor. I was going to use a 1/2 t bolt to secure the pallet.

This is a permanent type of installation, hence the reason i am using the t bolts instead of something quick and easy to lock down.

Thanks!

 

[MintJulep]

A good place to start would be identifying the expected loads.

 

[zcp]

I am often amazed at how much engineering and effort is put into products, yet how little engineering and effort is put into shipping it.

becma27, MintJulep has given the 'tongue in cheek' answer to your question. I will add that once you have your required load cases, you may want to start with a free body diagram and then engineer a solution.

Alternately, you could obtain a consultant for a relatively small fee.

At a previous job, one of the engineers worked on a similar problem to yours. He spent about a month working out a solution and isolating the equipment to protect it. Then he had to find a climate controlled container.

Good luck and don't forget the drop test....

ZCP

http://www.phoenix-engineer.com

 

[boo1]

Determine what are the expected G-loadings, derive the loading cases.

If you are shipping container on ships you can download the ABS guid at

http://WWW.eagle.org.

Peck and Hale has standard connections that fit in the track.