Deflection

Deflection is one of the most important topics when it comes to FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) grating and it’s a topic any customer working on a new FRP application should be concerned with. Deflection refers to a level of “bounce” FRP grating has when a load gets placed on it. Problems really start to occur when the load is dynamic, IE. someone walking on the grating where their weight is being applied and removed. At a certain point the deflection becomes so severe that it makes walking on the grating dangerous as you could fall. The way around deflection is to reduce the span, IE. the distance between supports. The closer the supports are together, the less deflection there will be.

What is handy is that our brochure available here gives some tables of reference for the safety factor and deflection for a variety of grating profiles at various spans. This would serve as a good start as you consider your application. It is said that deflection, not strength, governs the designs of FRP grating projects and for the most part this is true. If you have further questions about deflection or how it might affect your application please contact Redwood Plastics.