Cantilever Racking

Summary

Cantilever Racking - is used to store long loads and is also referred to as "bar racking".

Technical Information

This racking consists of vertical steel columns, from which span cantilever arms on either side. The columns are of boxed construction to maximise resistance to twisting and bending when under load. It is still important, however, to ensure that both sides of a cantilever racking system are loaded or unloaded at the same rate to reduce the bending moment at the bottom of the columns. The racks can be heavily loaded and can be up to 8m in height.

The arms are loaded and unloaded by Materials Handling Equipment (MHE) and the sides of the base of the system are not abrasive therefore do not damage the MHE’s wheels.

The racking can store anything that can span across at least three cantilevered arms. It is also possible to install a platform across the arms to carry shorter objects. If this is done, it is important to ensure that the platform will be strong enough to resist the imposed loads.

When designing a slab to support cantilever racking, the load imposed on the slab by the racking is usually modelled as a line load.