Engineers how do you calculate max load

Minusorange

Minusorange

Minusorange

Soldato
Joined
25 Nov 2005
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If a table leg has a max load of 50kg does it mean it's always 50kg whether I use 1 leg or multiple legs or is there a calculation to work out the increased load bearing efficiency when more legs are added ?
 
No, 50kg would usually assume 12.5gk across all legs. The load depends on where on the table it's placed, ie. directly on top of a leg means that leg is carrying the whole 50kg.
 
I reckon that 195x65 cm worktop would easily hold 50kg but prob yield depending where the weight was...especially if the legs are right in each corner

you could work it out with sites like https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com
eventually

best way is just to copy or buy what already exists tho

also that worktop weighs 22kg's by itself so need to consider that too
 
Legs I can change, there's some at Ikea that don't actually have a listed max load so I presume they're pretty strong enough to support most weights within reason

I need something that will bear the weight of

a 27" monitor
a 24" monitor which uses a clamp (it's why I'm thinking worktop is better as I've read the actual cheap linnmon desks don't fair too well when it comes to clamps)
a midi keyboard
a normal keyboard
my mouse
my desktop (although this will be on the end directly over whatever I choose for supports)
and random junk you generally find on desks

I was thinking of having a raised portion of desk on top the main desk to put my monitor like this

IMG_0834.jpg


And then another desk at the side for doing some electronics (soldering, tinkering)
 
just over engineer it....don't want a desk that you'll be leaning on for mouse/keyboard etc wobbling about

it needs some kind of design tho...you can't just screw 4 legs to a worktop and expect it to be stable. they'll need some kind of brace like in your pic of the monitor shelf
most of the cheap (or expensive!) flat pack stuff gets it strength from the panels

if you want to build it for the fun or can't find hat you want... fair enough but as I say best off copying a design...or just buying it from somewhere

:)
 
builder22 said:
just over engineer it....don't want a desk that you'll be leaning on for mouse/keyboard etc wobbling about

it needs some kind of design tho...you can't just screw 4 legs to a worktop and expect it to be stable. they'll need some kind of brace like in your pic of the monitor shelf
most of the cheap (or expensive!) flat pack stuff gets it strength from the panels

if you want to build it for the fun or can't find hat you want... fair enough but as I say best off copying a design...or just buying it from somewhere

:)
Click to expand...

Well I was thinking of 5 or 6 legs along the back portion and using some drawers as supports at the sides maybe a leg in the perfect centre of the desk too or is that over engineering ?

I don't mind experimenting I just don't fancy £800 worth of monitors crashing down to the floor :confused:
 
builder22 said:
5/6legs and one in the middle would be too much yes :D as i say just look at what's already available and copy

this is 400kg's! https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06Y3QT...t=&hvlocphy=1007366&hvtargid=pla-481704313567
Click to expand...

That looks so boring and bland though :(

I think I'm going to source some solid Oak boards (cut offs from a kitchen job) off gumtree, go to Ikea get some legs and some drawers that are the same height, get a shelf with decent max load and something suitable for little legs and bodge something together that resembles a desk that is functional and looks semi decent

4 corner legs maybe 2 brace legs at the rear (1 would do though surely in middle at rear ?) should spread the load enough with 4 little legs for top shelf that's just going to have 2 monitors on it
 
the brace is the bit that goes at 45 degrees to the tabletop/leg to make it sturdy...making the triangle shape like in your monitor shelf pic..the brace in flat pack pack stuff is the stiffness in the panels..

having the worktop screwed/bolted to 2 sets of drawers would act as a brace, assuming they were sturdy enough you wouldn't need any legs...you could add a brace of some sort between the drawers and the worktop if the drawers were a bit flimsy
 
builder22 said:
I reckon that 195x65 cm worktop would easily hold 50kg but prob yield depending where the weight was...especially if the legs are right in each corner
Click to expand...
interesting - if you do the calculation using https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/determining-youngs-modulus-by-bending-a-piece-of-wood.783911/
if there is no bracing/longitudinal support benath a piece of chip-board of worktop length I got 28.2 mm droop with legs in 4 corners and 50kg in middle
[based on chip board E=2000Nmm2]


see here http://srjcstaff.santarosa.edu/~yataiiya/E45/PROJECTS/Bend Test of wood.pdf
28466839598_1be500f0ed_o_d.jpg
 
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you can reinforce the top easily enough, i'm typing this on a pair of ikea desks that have been joined together by the very technical means of a couple of angle iron sections bolted between them.

as for those big chipboard tops they work great, i have a couple of bases (i'd link but i can't find them on the site, but it's a self-contained unit with 4 telescopic legs at an angle) with a chipboard breakfast bar on it. that took 3 monitors, a printer, and tower and even sitting on it.
 
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