Hurricanes are powerful natural disasters that bring devastation and destruction. As we approach hurricane season, it’s crucial to consider the impact of these storms on various aspects of our lives, including the safety of structures and objects like pallets. Luckily for us, in 2017, Dr. Marshall White, Professor Emeritus Packaging Systems and Design at Virginia Tech explored the subject of wood pallets and hurricanes at the behest of the state of Florida. Dr. White’s research looked at the need to secure stacks of pallets safely and how they might behave in a hurricane.
The Role of Pallets in Hurricane Relief Efforts:
In the aftermath of natural disasters, pallets are a ubiquitous sight that signals recovery is underway. These versatile platforms are vital in delivering much-needed humanitarian aid to affected areas.
Wood pallets help transport essential supplies such as food, water, medical equipment, and other critical items into disaster-stricken areas. Pallets facilitate efficient logistics, enabling relief organizations to quickly distribute aid to those in need in a uniform and reliable way.
Understanding Pallet Stability in High Winds:
During hurricane winds, flying debris poses a significant danger to people and property. Fortunately, per Dr. White’s research, there is no record of a pallet causing injury during a storm. State officials in Florida sought assistance from Dr. White in understanding the aerodynamic properties of wood pallets to predict when they would become unstable.
Dr. White consulted the ASCE 7-95 “Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures” to model the structural stability of pallets in high winds. Based on the assumption that instability would occur through horizontal shifting between pallets, he developed a mathematical relationship to predict the wind velocity required to push a 50-pound pallet across the top deck of another. With the given parameters, the critical wind velocity for pallet stack destabilization was estimated to be 102 miles per hour.
Preventing Pallets from Becoming Projectiles:
While the mathematical analysis provides valuable insights, it’s important to note that this estimate is subject to various factors and has yet to be verified through testing. As a precautionary measure, keeping pallet stacks out of strong winds during hurricanes is advisable. Securing them by weighing them down or using other appropriate methods can help prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
As hurricane season approaches, it’s crucial to consider the safety of structures and objects like pallets. Pallets are integral to the efficient distribution of humanitarian aid after hurricanes, and their stability in high winds plays a significant role in preventing injury and damage. By understanding the aerodynamic properties of pallets and taking necessary precautions, we can ensure the safety of people and property during these powerful storms.
Natural disasters like Hurricanes also highlight the need to partner with a packaging supplier with enough reach to keep your supply chain moving no matter what happens. Essential materials like food, medicine, and other emergency supplies need pallets to get to market, and PalletOne’s nationwide footprint guarantees we have the resilience to make sure those products can reach people in need no matter what.s
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is based on the findings and analysis of Professor Emeritus Marshall White from Virginia Tech’s Pallet and Container Research Laboratory. For more information and expert advice, please visit www.whiteandcompany.net.
