12/11/2014

Permissible loading capacity

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Permissible loading capacity of

containers

[German version]

Permissible loading capacity of container floor

Permissible loading capacity of container walls and container roof
Weight distribution in container

Permissible loading capacity of container floor

If the container is loaded to its maximum capacity, the weight of the cargo must be distributed as
evenly as possible over the floor area. The load-carrying components of the container floor
structure are the bottom side rails, which absorb the load of a cargo via the container floor. For safe
transport, it is important for as many as possible of the bottom rails to be loaded. Point loads are to
be avoided, since they can damage the container floor. Point loads always occur when relatively
high weights are concentrated on a small bearing area.
The maximum line load is also of importance when packing containers. [46] states a maximum line
load of 4.5 metric tons/m for a 20' container and 3.0 metric tons/m for a 40' container. Line loads
are calculated as follows:
Example 1: A cargo weighing 15 t extends over a length of 6 m. This gives a line load of
15 t / 6 m = 2.5 t/m
This cargo could therefore be transported in either a 20' or a 40' container.
Example 2: A cargo weighing 16 t extends over a length of 4 m. This gives a line load of
16 t / 4 m = 4.0 t/m
This cargo could only be transported in a 20' container. In a 40' container the maximum line load
would be exceeded and transport would therefore be disallowed. However, if the cargo has
nonetheless to be packed in a 40' container, the bearing area must be enlarged to ensure safe
transport. This may be achieved for example by laying Dunnage or a "sled" under the cargo.
Where dunnage is used, it must be ensured that the lower wooden planks lie lengthwise and are
thus supported on several container bottom cross members. Similarly, the skids of a "sled" must
also lie in the lengthwise direction of the container.

Figure 1

[46] gives the following details about minimum plank width and the minimum distance of the planks
from the center line of the container:

Container type

http://www.tis-gdv.de/tis_e/containe/belast/belast.htm#boden

20'

40'

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Permissible loading capacity

A. Minimum plank width

B. Minimum distance of planks to either side of the center line of the

container

0.10
m

0.15
m

0.4 m

0.4 m

Figure 2

When packing a container with a forklift truck, care must also be taken to ensure that the container
floor is not too heavily loaded and thus damaged. ISO 1496 (International Standards Organization)
sets the following limit values for forklift truck access into containers:

Designation

Limit value

Maximum axle load

5460 kg

Minimum wheel bearing area

142 cm2

Wheel width

approx. 180 mm

Track width

approx. 760 mm

Forklift trucks with a load-carrying capacity of 2 t have a maximum axle load of approx. 5 t when
loaded, and may therefore be allowed access to the container floor. Forklift trucks with a loadcarrying capacity of 2.5 t may exceed the maximum axle load of 5460 kg, but are generally still
suitable for access to the container. Problems may arise with battery-powered electric forklift
trucks, because of their relatively high dead weight. Such forklifts frequently exceed the maximum
axle load.
Forklift trucks with a very high unladen weight may only enter the container when they are not
laden to capacity and the maximum axle load of 5460 kg is thus not exceeded. It must additionally
be noted that the load-carrying capacity of forklifts is reduced when add-ons are used. Add-ons are
used whenever required by the nature (shape) of the cargo, e.g. hydraulic roll clamps in the case of
roll transport.

Figure 3

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Permissible loading capacity of container walls and container roof

The permissible loading capacity of the container walls and the container roof is laid down in ISO
1496 and the Container Safety Convention (CSC).
Containers must withstand a load in the lengthwise direction which corresponds to external
acceleration of 2 g acting horizontally on the floor fastening elements. These stresses are
transmitted by vehicles to the container via the twist locks (turn-lock fasteners for locking
containers).

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Figure 4

The CSC stipulates that end walls must be designed to withstand loads of 0.4 g. This corresponds to
40% of the maximum payload of the container when the end wall is evenly loaded.
According to the CSC, the side walls must withstand loads of 0.6 g, which corresponds to an evenly
distributed load amounting to 60% of maximum payload.

Figure 5

The values apply only to large-area loads. As with the container floor, point loads very readily
result in damage to the container walls. Where point loads are expected or are unavoidable
because of the nature and shape of the cargo, appropriate precautions must be taken.
The permissible loading capacity of the container roof is only very slight. The CSC stipulates that it
withstand a 200 kg load over an area of 600 x 300 mm; cargo must therefore never be put on the
roof. When several containers are stacked on top of one another, the forces are conducted into the
corner posts, thereby relieving the roof.
Each container must have a valid safety approval plate (CSC plate). If the end or side walls have a
lower or higher permissible loading capacity than the above-stated values, this must be marked on
the CSC plate.

Figure 6

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Weight distribution in container

Especially where cargo is to be handled by spreader, forklift truck or crane, it is important for the
center of gravity of the cargo to lie as close as possible to the center of the container. If the center
of gravity is too far from the center, increased effort is required and there is greater potential risk
during transport and handling of the container. To ensure safe handling, the following guidelines
should be complied with:

Position of
center of gravity

Lengthwise

20'

40'

maximum of 0.60 m away from

center of container

maximum of 0.90 m away from

center of container

Crosswise
Height

at center of container
beneath geometric center of gravity of container

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References | Contact - Provider | Legal notice

Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft e.V. (GDV), Berlin 2002-2014

http://www.tis-gdv.de/tis_e/containe/belast/belast.htm#boden

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