Racking and general structures

NB.When designing structures care must be taken to ensure that the load on any one grub screw does not exceed 900kg.

For further help in designing structures using FastClamp please contact our sales office.

Racking and general structures can be constructed using FastClamp fittings. Care must be taken to ensure that the tube size selected is adequate for the loads anticipated. To help with the selection of the correct tube, Table 1 Horizontal tube load capacity provides the uniformly distributed loads that can be supported between upright posts assuming that the load is supported by two tubes. These loads are calculated based on the maximum bending movement for the tube.

Table 2 Vertical tube load capacity provides the load capacity for single upright posts with various unsupported lengths. These loads are based on the compression strength and buckling loads of the CHS tube.

Table 3 contains our recommendations to safely meet the stated design loads based on the maximum permissible bending moment of the Upright tube.

Horizontal tubes load capacity
Uniformally distributed load in Kg using two horizontal tubes

Tube Ø
Span (metres) 26.9mm x 2.6 33.7mm x 3.2 42.4mm x 3.2 48.3mm x 3.2 60.3mm x 4.0
0.5 540 1060 1750 2380 4000
0.6 435 850 1407 1870 3250
0.7 375 730 1207 1595 2760
0.8 330 645 1063 1365 2420
0.9 295 579 946 1230 2160
1.0 265 525 850 1110 1950
1.1 240 478 770 1083 1775
1.2 219 438 705 930 1625
1.3 202 403 651 858 1497
1.4 187 373 604 796 1387
1.5 175 347 564 741 1290
1.6   325 529 693 1205
1.7   306 499 650 1129
1.8   290 472 613 1061
1.9   277 448 581 999
2.0   268 427 553 987
2.1     408 528 944
2.2     391 505 855
2.3     376 485 818
2.4     362 467 785
2.5     349 450 755
2.6       434 728
2.7       419 703
2.8       405 680
2.9         659
3.0         639
3.1         620
3.2         603
3.3         588
3.4         575
3.5         564
Table 1

Vertical Strut load capacity
Vertical load in Kg per strut

Tube Ø
Strut Length (metres) 26.9mm x 2.6 33.7mm x 3.2 42.4mm x 3.2 48.3mm x 3.2 60.3mm x 3.6
0.3 1720 2950 4038 4783 7044
0.4 1435 2617 3703 4446 6661
0.5 1150 2284 3368 4109 6278
0.6 910 1951 3033 3772 5895
0.7 725 1618 2690 3435 5512
0.8 590 1348 2363 3098 5129
0.9 480 1128 2028 2761 4746
1.0   948 1752 2424 4363
1.1   798 1524 2134 3980
1.2     1340 1884 3597
1.3     1188 1668 3253
1.4     1066 1484 2951
1.5       1328 2681
1.6         2441
1.7         2226
1.8         2032
1.9         1857
2.0         1697
Table 2

 

Guardrail

Guardrail is the most common form of structure that is built with FastClamp fittings and requires careful consideration to meet required design loadings. Design loads are usually specified, however if unsure BS 6399 and BS 6180 are good reference documents.

The loading capacity of any guardrail structure is determined principally by the diameter, thickness and frequency of its Uprights.

This table contains our recommendations to safely meet the stated design loads based on the maximum permissible bending moment of the Upright tube.

Tube Ø
Maximum Upright Centres (mm)

900 mm high
Design Load 33.7 x 3.2mm 42.4 x 3.2mm 42.4 x 4.0mm 48.3 x 3.2mm 48.3 x 4.0mm 48.3 x 5.0mm
360 N/m 814 1369 1595 1828 2584 3052
740 N/m 396 666 776 889 1257 2229
1500 N/m 195 329 383 439 620 1100

1000 mm high
360 N/m 732 1232 1435 1645 2326 2930
740 N/m 356 599 698 800 1131 2006
1500 N/m 176 296 345 395 558 990

1100 mm high
360 N/m 666 1120 1305 1496 2114 2778
740 N/m 324 545 635 728 1028 1824
1500 N/m 160 269 313 359 507 900
Table 3            

Grade:BS EN 10255 (ISO 65)

Rails need only be 3.2mm thick and the same diameter as the upright.

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