Point load on Plywood

[drummingEng]

I have searched around Eng-Tips and found no real conclusions on how to assess a point load on plywood. I have a client who wants to use a pallet jack across a wood floor. They don't want to be limited on where they can use it on the floor.

I have seen threads with this question on them but have failed to find any real conclusions. I am going to contact APA in the next couple of hours when their office opens, but I was wondering if the community had any insights or conclusions on this topic.

 

[Triangled]

like you, I'd call APA
pretty obviously, 'footprint' size of wheel upon plywood floor will be a factor, an inflatable tire wheel distributing the load over a greater area than a steel wheel

 

[racookpe1978]

"Pallet jack" = unknown loads = uncontrolled loads on the pallet jack front steel wheels, and half on the back (close together) steel wheels.

Figure (guess!) your maximum pallet loads, then double it. Or more. Measure the pallet jacks you actually expect to use: Probably 3 inch long front wheels, "squishing a plywood panel about 1/2 wide. So, the front wheels WILL give you XXX pounds/4/(3 inch x 1/2 inch area) = your "probable" penetrating force under reasonable operators. (Yeah, right, sure.)

The back wheels are turning as the pallet jack is wrenched sideways to turn it around and steer it, so they will gouge the plywood differently. The ones I recall (none are in the garage, and I am not at a work site using them right now!) are about 4 inch diameter, maybe 1 inch long axially, and will "squish" a smaller area.

Assume XXX pounds load/4/(1 inch x 1/2 inch area) = penetration loads on these wheels.

Critically review the above assumptions!

 

[NorthCivil]

I don't think plywood is a suitable material for decking if you might get loads like this.

maybe heavy timber decking if you want to stick with purely wood - otherwise, a 2 or 3" concrete topping over your plywood sheathing, or switch to corrugated composite decking.

 

[Triangled]

...for what it's worth....
recall a mezzanine for an auto-parts store or similar, likely 250 live load scenario, with a double layer of plywood sheathing....
comment from other: "yea the bottom layer is structural and the top layer is replaceable..."

seems somewhat reasonable/applicable in view of your project..... bottom layer handles vertical loads and diaphragm action and top layer accepts the abuse of daily use...and is replaceable.

good luck!

 

[XR250]

What about steel plate?