Steel Grating Load Tables: What Buyers Need to Know

A steel grating load table helps buyers narrow the right bearing bar size, spacing and span. It is useful during early design and RFQ preparation, but it should not be treated as a replacement for project engineering when loads are unusual or support conditions are unclear.

This guide explains how to read load tables, what information affects selection, and what to send through the engineering library, engineering support, or RFQ form when asking for help.

Load tables start with clear span

Clear span is the distance between supports in the bearing bar direction. Overall panel length is not always the same as clear span. A panel may overlap supports, include notches, or sit on an angle frame. The load table must be read using the unsupported distance that the bearing bars actually bridge.

Understand the type of load

Uniform load, concentrated load and wheel load are different. A walkway with people standing across the surface is not the same as a small cart wheel applying load to a narrow contact area. Buyers should state which load case applies and whether the project uses a specific safety factor or deflection limit.

• Uniform pedestrian load for general walkways.
• Concentrated maintenance load from tools or equipment.
• Wheel load from carts, trolleys or vehicles.
• Temporary construction load during installation or shutdown work.

Deflection matters for serviceability

A panel may be strong enough not to fail but still deflect more than the project allows. Excessive deflection can feel unsafe, affect fit-up, or create drainage problems. Load tables often show allowable load at a selected deflection limit, so the deflection criterion should be understood before comparing options.

Information Needed for Load Table Review

The load table can only be applied correctly when the following information is clear.

Information	Example	Why it matters
Clear span	900 mm between supports	Main input for load capacity
Load type	Pedestrian, cart wheel, vehicle or equipment	Different load cases produce different stress
Bearing bar direction	Bars run left to right on the plan	Prevents reading the table in the wrong direction
Deflection limit	Project standard or common service limit	Controls acceptable panel movement
Finish and material	Hot-dip galvanized carbon steel	Affects final product and project documentation

Bearing bar size and spacing work together

Increasing bar depth or thickness can improve load capacity. Reducing bearing bar spacing can also improve performance and control openings. However, more steel increases weight and cost. The right selection balances load, open area, foot traffic safety, drainage and handling.

When to request engineering review

Ask for engineering review when loads are high, spans are long, supports are irregular, vehicle traffic is involved, or the grating carries equipment rather than normal foot traffic. Early review avoids over-specifying every panel or under-specifying the critical zones.

FAQ

Can a load table replace engineering calculation?

It can support early selection, but unusual loads, long spans and vehicle traffic should be reviewed by engineering.

What is the most important input?

Clear span in the bearing bar direction is usually the first critical input.

Why does deflection matter?

Deflection affects how stable the grating feels and whether it meets project serviceability requirements.

Should all panels use the same bar size?

Not always. Different zones may require different bar sizes based on span and load.

Send your span, support layout and load condition to engineering support when a load table result needs confirmation before quotation.