Live load v.s. moving equipment load

[StrP88]

I had this discussion in office and I appreciate if someone educate me or clear the mud for me.
I had posted a day ago a question on manlift load check on a floor plate and I want to here state that my intention is not duplicating the question but is somehow related.

I been asked if it is okay to place a manlift on 17 floor of an open steel structure floor which the floor is checker plates. The original drawings state that parts of the floor load is 100 psf and parts 500 psf rated. Some mechanical engineer colleague tell me that the 3' by 8' 5500lbs manlift is okay to be rolled on the floor.

I told them I don't think that floor rating includes the manlift/moving load and I have to use the tire width, pressure and graphs in a book that I forgot the name of it and apply point loads and check regardless the floor rating.

Am I correct? or this wheeled manlift can be consider as the 500 psf rated load?

I appreciate using a simple language I understand.

Respectfully,
Your colleague

 

[RPMG]

Heavy industrial live load is 250 psf or 3,000 lb. The smallest forklifts have 3,500 lb wheel loads. If the floor cannot support the load, it should not be rated for 500 psf because it implies that it is the area of floor that should be used for this purpose.

I would check it with a single plate FEM with a pressure tire load, and roughly estimate effective widths and the average maximum stress across the effective width (not the max stress).

It's extremely odd that you have an open steel structure with checkered floor plates. That seems like a water/corrosion/slip hazard.

 

[bridgebuster]

I agree with your approach; the plate has to be evaluated based upon contact area.

 

[dik]

As BB noted... your approach is sound... the lift can likely be supported without issue on the 500 psf area, but, unlikely on the 100 psf area... should, however, check out both conditions.

Dik