Transport

When moving, a vehicle and its load are subjected to forces caused by changes of speed, direction or slope. These forces are a result of braking, accelerating, cornering or travelling over cambered, undulating or uneven road surfaces with the addition of airflow.

A heavy load is just as likely to move and fall off as a light load.  This is because the same ‘g’ forces (acceleration due to gravity) are acting on both.  Also, the braking force on the load is often higher at low speed than at high speed because the brakes may grab suddenly and cause the load to jar and loosen.

In order to reduce this movement and load shift during transport, cargo must be completely secured before the journey begins.  A high friction compressible load matting combined with the correct number of lashings can achieve this.

Many types of load restraint equipment is used in the transport industry over loads to hold them down, including; ropes, webbing strap, turnbuckles, short chains etc.  These restraints might feel like the load is properly secured but the actual tension is low and is mostly ineffective with the forces encountered during transit.  Generally the weight of the load alone cannot provide enough friction to restrain it during normal driving conditions.  In order to increase this friction an anti slip load restraint matting is required to be installed under the load.

Local authorities are now enforcing proper load restraint practices and are requiring all loads to meet NTC (National Transport Commission) standards.  In many cases this requires additional restraints or certified load mats.  Reglin load matting complies with NTC requirements and a certificate confirming its surface friction coefficient can be supplied to assist in evidencing proper load restraint.

Friction is the resistance to movement caused by the ‘roughness’ of two surfaces in contact with each other.  Low friction between a load and its carrying surface is the biggest factor in allowing load shift during transport. So low friction means high risk.  The table below shows the typical static friction coefficients between materials commonly encountered in transport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This table is referenced from the NTC Load Restraint guide 2018.  Table 5. Page 243.  These figures are a guide and must not be used to design a load restraint system without testing. Where the static friction coefficient is not known, you must test the load or choose a conservative value. The tests must take into account all possible combinations of surface conditions that may been countered, such as wet, dry or greasy.

Reglin load mat has been tested and certified to meet a friction coefficient of greater that 0.6.

The protection of important or fragile cargo during transport is a critical challenge faced by the industry.  The loading and unloading of cargo with equipment such as forklifts and cranes onto steel decks of transport equipment or load shift during travel often causes unwanted damage.  High forces applied to loads with lashings etc required to achieve proper load restraint can also be a factor.

Rubber load matting as well as rubber strips and pads can be used as a protective layer between cargo and transport equipment surfaces and lashings.  The flexibility and compressibility of rubber allows it to not only increase friction between them but also absorb and distribute forces protecting both surface and cargo.