The warehouse floor is a key element as it is the foundation of everything. All activities that take place in a warehouse will take place on this floor, so it is very important to pay special attention to everything related to it, from the types of loads it will support to the substrate or the finishing layer.
Types of Cargo:
It must be considered that not all loads that the floor must support are equal. In fact, it is essential that the pavement is capable of withstanding very high loads of two types: static and dynamic.
Static Charges:
The loads generated under the columns of the shelves are of the punctual type, of great intensity, concentrated on a very small surface and evenly distributed, especially on the warehouse floor grating. This is something very disturbing for most builders, causing them great concern, as these loads reach values of 7 or 8 tons, and even more than that, concentrating on a small surface – that of the profile section of the abutment – in just 80 or 100 cm2
Dynamic Loads:
Dynamic loads caused by handling equipment circulating over very narrow corridors are also very intense and vary depending on the type of equipment used. In the most extreme case, such as a stacker crane, the weight can reach up to 18 tons and can be concentrated on a minimum surface, represented by the impression of the load wheel.
However, this effect can easily be minimized when it is spread over the entire guide rail on which the equipment travels. Here are the tips to choose the forklift for the business
In other types of moving elements, the heaviest loads occur when they are stationary. A very significant example is that of trilateral forklifts, whose greatest effect on the floor is when they are depositing or assuming a weight at full height and the forks are extended laterally. At that moment, the pressure exerted on the load wheels reaches such high values that they can go beyond the resistance limits of the floor, as well as of the wheels and their bearings. This effort is transmitted directly to the sides of the runners.
Other equipment, such as counterbalanced forklifts, cause maximum pressure on the floor when they are unloaded and the pressure is exerted by the wheels at the back, as this is where the counterweight rests. When the forklift is loaded, there is a leveling of the load at the front (by the lever principle) and although the total weight increases, it is distributed over the entire surface of the equipment. In this case, the load is also supported on a small surface, in the tire imprint zone.
What is meant by adequate Pavement?
The mission of a pavement (and its foundation) is to support and transfer the loads described above, from the surface of the ground downwards, until they reach the level of the subsoil. This applies to both dynamic loads, caused by moving machines, and static loads, generated by racking columns. Therefore, the right floor is one that has the necessary hardness and stability to perform these tasks.
It is critical to observe the ground level specifications to ensure proper warehouse operation.
The surface finish must be correctly leveled within the margins and tolerances involved in using a certain type of installation, with specific equipment and a specific storage system. Achieving these goals with quality is the responsibility of designers and builders.
