Strongwell produces more than 100 different FRP grating series to meet a variety of customer needs. Applicable to both DURAGRID® pultruded and DURAGRATE® molded grating, the following advice will help select the most appropriate grating series for an application.
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1. Determine Design Criteria
Find FRP grating design criteria in the project specifications under Section 06 74 13 &#;Fiberglass Reinforced Gratings&#;. If unavailable, refer to ASCE 7-16, Table 4.3-1 for minimum live loads. Allowable deflection for FRP grating is usually limited to ¼" (6 mm) for pedestrian comfort. Larger deflections may be permissible for heavy, temporary loads. Deflection greater than ½" (12 mm) is not advisable due to prying action on hold down clips and potential loosening of fasteners. Long panels utilizing multispan conditions reduce panel deflection.Compare design loads to the grating Safe Load and you will find high Factors of Safety. Serviceability (not strength) generally controls FRP design.
2. Identify Constraints
Bearing bar height and/or spacing may determine grating series selection. Issues such as existing supports, ADA compliance, high heels, dropped objects, drainage, sunlight penetration, ventilation, and even vehicular traffic could be a requirement for a particular installation. With all these situations to consider, DURAGRID® I-1", I-1.5" and T-2" remain the most
common pultruded series selected. DURAGRATE® 1.5" thick x 1.5" square mesh is the most common molded grating series.
3. Select Resin
Generally, polyester is suitable for most conditions;vinyl ester for harsh chemical exposure and additional corrosion protection; phenolic where fire / smoke /toxicity are of primary concern.
Most Strongwell load tables are based upon polyester resin (PE) since vinyl ester (VE) resin has only slightly greater mechanical properties. Phenolic grating does have unique properties and separate load tables. As a visual indicator for grating resin, Strongwell cross rods are a light gray color for PE and black for VE. Refer to the Strongwell Corrosion Resistance Guide for specific chemical environments and select the appropriate resin.
4. Maximize Span
With your initial grating selection chosen, review load tables to determine the maximum span to meet load(s) and allowable deflection. Compare this to plan dimensions and determine support configuration. Selecting a taller bar allows longer grating spans and reduces the frequency of beams. This increases the load on each support beam, but fewer slightly larger beams is often more economical than additional smaller beams. If the beam spacing is considerably more/less than the maximum span, review load tables to see if other grating meets the design criteria.
5. Choose Appearance
A variety of bearing bar colors, surface grit and topcoat treatments are available for FRP grating. Yellow and light gray are standard bar colors. Fine grit is suitable for bare feet; standard medium grit for industrial uses; or coarse grit, if lubricants or debris collection are expected. A urethane top coat adds greater UV protection or custom colors.
Interested in learning more? Read our in-depth article comparing the use cases and performance properties of molded vs. pultruded fibgerglass grating.
Conclusion
With many geometric, material, assembly, and finishing options, FRP grating is able to meet the needs of nearly any application. Contact a member of the Strongwell team today with any questions about our FRP solutions.
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The need to control construction costs without sacrificing safety and durability has made fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) grating a popular option to replace traditional materials like steel, aluminum, and wood. FRP grating comes in several varieties, each with its own unique characteristics. However, all Fibergrate FRP products share some characteristics:
Lightweight with low installation costs
Corrosion resistant, fire retardant, and non-conductive
High strength-to-weight ratio with a long service life
These advantages contribute to FRP gratings&#; versatility across numerous applications, especially where safety and weight ratings are crucial factors to consider. For jobs featuring demanding loads and stressors, heavy duty FRP grating materials&#;also called High Load grating&#;is engineered for even higher performance.
In this blog post, we will explore what a load rating is and delve into the characteristics of regular FRP grating compared to heavy duty FRP grating. We will also compare the performance of heavy duty FRP with steel for similar applications and discuss various scenarios where heavy duty FRP may be the optimal choice.
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Understanding What Heavy Duty FRP Grating Load Ratings Mean
In the context of FRP grating, a load rating is a measure of the maximum weight or load that a material or structure can support without failure or deformation. Grating with a higher load rating can handle more weight and is suitable for applications with heavy loads or vehicular traffic.
Here&#;s a look at the load ratings of Fibergrate high load grating products:
Load ratings are crucial for choosing the right grating for your project because they ensure safety and performance. In applications designed to support turning traffic, a higher load rating is needed because turning movements place additional stress on the grating compared to straight-line traffic. Turning creates a differential in the load distribution, causing higher concentrated forces on the grating during the turning process.
As a result, the grating must be able to withstand these localized higher loads without experiencing deformation or failure. Heavy duty FRP grating, engineered to carry forklift and other vehicular loads that regular FRP grating may not support, is a suitable option for areas with turning traffic and other high-load applications. In fact, only Fibergrate produces a high load capacity (HLC) molded grating product that possesses the required durability to withstand vehicular turning traffic.
Comparing Heavy Duty FRP Grating with Steel for Load Rating
Steel has long been the go-to material for heavy-duty applications due to its high load-bearing capacity. However, heavy duty FRP grating has emerged as a viable alternative to steel, offering several advantages:
- Lightweight nature compared to steel, making installation and transportation easier and more cost-effective.
- Excellent corrosion resistance, making it ideal for outdoor and corrosive environments where steel may degrade over time.
- Non-conductive properties make it a safer option for projects that involve electrical equipment or hazardous environments.
Heavy duty FRP grating can handle substantial loads while still being relatively lightweight and corrosion-resistant, making it a superior choice for various applications where traditional steel grating would be less practical.
Applications for Heavy Duty FRP Grating
A few examples of where heavy duty fiberglass grating makes an excellent choice include:
- Flooring
- Storage Areas
- Ramps
- Loading areas
- Trenches (both with open grating or solid tops)
Quick Example: In one installation, our client used our 2&#; deep, 2&#; square mesh molded grating with a grit surface in the Los Angeles Light Rail system&#;s maintenance platform. In this facility, corrosion resistance, long life, and low maintenance were key, and our high load grating was up to the challenge.
What Makes Fibergrate High Load Grating Stand Out
Fibergrate high load capacity grating is a standout product engineered to carry forklift and other vehicular loads. Combining the strengths of traditional FRP (high strength, corrosion resistance, fire retardancy, and low maintenance), these products offer a reliable choice for demanding applications.
With at least 48% open area for drainage and the option for a solid top when needed, our high load grating provides versatile solutions for various projects in two primary product categories:
- Molded High Load Capacity (HLC) Grating:
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- Unique one-piece construction withstands vehicular turning loads
- Available in 1-1/2&#; and 2&#; depths
- Used in storage areas, trench covers, flooring, ramps, & loading areas
- Corrosion Resistant
- Pultruded High Load (HI) Grating
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- High unidirectional strength
- Engineered to withstand forklift & tractor trailer loads
- Available in 1&#;, 1-1/2&#;, 2&#;, 2-1/2&#;, & 3&#; depths
- Used for trench covers, flooring, ramps, & loading areas
- Corrosion Resistant
When it comes to projects that require high load capacity, heavy duty FRP grating from Fibergrate offers an excellent alternative to traditional materials like steel. Its lightweight nature, corrosion resistance, and high strength make it an attractive choice for various applications. Contact a local Fibergrate sales representative to discuss your project requirements and find the perfect solution.
Are you interested in learning more about Custom Heavy-duty molded grating Factory? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
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