Construction Industry/wood floor capacity

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Expert: - 3/3/2010


Question
Wood Floor Capacity


I need a ‘bridge’ over an inspection trench in the floor, for a pneumatic tire forklift to cross.  Trench walls are cement block; floor is reinforced concrete.  Joists are held by hangers.  Maximum weight of forklift is 13118 lbs (8118 lbs for the forklift, 5000 lbs load capacity) which at its maximum would all be on the front axle.

Span is 80” by 72” wide with 2x8 joists 8” centers and two double joists in the approximate location of wheel treads.

Mid-span is a 2x4 support wall with matching 8” center 2x4s studs and matching double 2x4s on the double joists.  The wall has a 3/4” plywood facing on one side for lateral support.

Flooring is tongue and grooved 2x4 oak board across the joists.

What is the load capacity of the ‘bridge’?  I’m hoping for multiple safety factor.


Bob Daily

Answer
Hi Bob;Sorry, I do not have the expertise to answer your question.  I am an expert in residential and commercial floor coverings such as carpet, hardwood, laminate, ceramic, vinyl, etc.  The only suggestions I could give you would be for you to visit websites of metal plate manufacturers and speak with their technical services people.  

Cordially,

John Michaels

Construction Industry

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Stephen Hayes

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We are a floor covering inspection service and a floor covering specifying service. We inspect all types of floor coverings in every city and town in all 50 States and Canada, for manufacturing, installation, or maintenance related problems. We also specify, so when someone is about to choose a floor covering for a residential or commercial installation, after we find out, from them, the particulars about the installation, we can suggest the proper product, installation method, and maintenance method to provide optimum life of the product. (Note that in your B2B Category, we did not find any heading related to our business, so we just chose the Construction category). So if someone has a problem with the performance, installation, or maintenance of any floor covering, we can give suggestions, without a formal inspection, the possible causes of the prolems.

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We have been in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, of all types of residential and commercial floor coverings, for many years, and for the past 13 years, we just inspect and specify.

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