??? Built to Last or Doomed to Fail? ?? Why Soil, Slabs, & Load Calculations Matter in Seismic Racking Design
Ryan Rogers
Delivering Tailored Storage Solutions & Operational Efficiency Across North America | Material Handling Expert with 11+ Years of Proven Results | National Account Manager
Your racking system is only as strong
as the ground beneath it.
In high-seismic zones,
small miscalculations
lead to big failures.
So, what matters most?
?? Soil stability
?? Concrete slab thickness & PSI
?? Average pallet load weights
Let’s break it down.??
1?? The Foundation: Soil Stability
Not all ground is created equal.
Loose soils? Liquefaction risk. ??
Sandy soils? Amplify seismic movement. ??
Rocky soils? Better load distribution. ??
A geotechnical report tells you:
? Soil composition
? Bearing capacity
? Liquefaction potential
Without it?
Your racks are built on guesswork. ?
2?? The Critical Base: Concrete Slab Analysis
A slab isn’t just a floor.
It’s the interface between your racking and the ground.
Thickness & PSI matter.
Too thin? ?? Cracking under dynamic loads.
Low PSI? ?? Anchors pull out in seismic shifts.
What you need to know:
?? Minimum slab thickness for rack loads
?? PSI ratings to prevent failures
领英推荐
?? Proper anchor bolt depth & placement
In high-seismic areas,
this isn’t optional—
it’s mission-critical. ??
3?? The Load Factor: Average Pallet Weights
Your racking must handle more than just “standard” loads.
Because weight distribution shifts everything.
?? Evenly distributed loads? ? Better stability.
?? Point loads on longer beams? ?? Higher stress points.
?? Overloaded racks? ?? Increased seismic failure risk.
Without precise weight calculations:
Your system won’t hold up when the ground starts moving.
So, why does all this matter?
Because seismic activity doesn’t ask if your racks are ready.
It tests them. ??
Skipping geotechnical reports?
Ignoring slab analysis?
Misjudging pallet loads?
It’s a recipe for disaster.
The Bottom Line
A seismic-ready racking system starts before installation.
? Know your soil.
? Analyze your slab.
? Calculate your loads.
Because the best-built racks
aren’t just engineered well— ?? ??UNARCO Engineering ?? ??
they’re built on the right foundation. ??
Are your racks designed for seismic safety? How do you know?
Let’s talk. ??
CoGri USA
1 个月Great advice Ryan! Folks if you don't know a good company to address those questions of seismic needs, I do. Suggest you can also contact Seismic Inc & Nancy Fateen's Team. As for the "Slab's" we have a very "deep" understanding of concrete flooring design, engineering, installation & consulting on; to go with our depth & breadth of repair solution services! We are the world leader in this field and floor flatness & levelness!