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Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work. |
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Estimating wooden ramp strength
On Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:23:30 -0500, Ignoramus20839
wrote: I have steel ramps, but they are very short and suitable for my [low] trailer only. I am considering making ramps from wooden boards. Specifically, picture a ramp that looks like a letter I in cross section. The wide part of the I is a 2x8. On the top and bottom of the I, there would be 2x4s. The "I", of course, would be laid flat for use. Here's the ascii graphic: . . |==========| ~ ~ The 2x4s would be screwed to the 2x8 with wood screws, and reinforced with glue. My question is, what would be the strength of this ramp if it was, say, 8 ft long. Specifically, how much load could I place in the middle for some reasonably low deflection (like 1-2 inches). You forgot an important question. While the 2 x 4s are probably more than sufficient for most things on an 8' span, that 2 x 8 is going to be getting a lot of pressure in it's weakest direction. If you're running something up the ramp that has a wide tire that can disperse the load across the board, there's no problem- but if you've got something like a piece of machinery on narrow casters rolling up the center, there's a reasonable chance of splitting it. Wood is strong in compression on the endgrain, and in resisting bowing forces, but pretty weak along the grain. If you're just making one set of ramps, you might want to consider using LVL beams instead- they're like a 2" thick piece of plywood that is glued under immense pressure, and then you'd be really reducing your chances of splitting the ramp down the middle because the grain is alternating. They're not the cheapest things in the world, but neither is 2 x 8 SYP, and you only need one, cut in half. |
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