17 Stacking Test (annex II, chapter 2)
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - International Convention for Safe Containers - CSC.1/Circ.138/Rev.1 – Revised Recommendations on Harmonized Interpretation and Implementation of the International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972, as Amended – (5 August 2013) - Annex – Revised Recommendations on Harmonized Interpretation and Implementation of the International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972, as Amended - 17 Stacking Test (annex II, chapter 2)

17 Stacking Test (annex II, chapter 2)

  17.1 The following can be used as guidance in interpreting paragraphs 1 and 2 of the stacking test:

  • For a 9-high stacking of 24-tonne (24,000 kg/52,915 lb) containers, the mass on the bottom container would be 8 x 24 tonnes (24,000 kg/52,915 lb), i.e. 192 tonnes (192,000 kg/423,320 lb). Thus, in the case of a 24-tonne container with 9-high stacking capability, the plate should indicate: ALLOWABLE STACKING MASS FOR 1.8 G: 192,000 kg/423,320 lb.

  17.2 The following may be a useful guidance for determining allowable stacking mass:

  • The allowable stacking mass for 1.8 g may be calculated by assuming a uniform stack loading on the corner post. The stacking test load applied to one corner of the container shall be multiplied by the factor 4/1.8 and the result expressed in appropriate units.

  17.3 The following is a useful example of how the allowable stacking mass could be varied, as prescribed in paragraph 1 of the stacking test:

  • If on a particular journey the maximum vertical acceleration on a container can be reliably and effectively limited to 1.2 g, the allowable stacking mass permitted for that journey would be the allowable stacking mass stamped on the plate multiplied by the ration of 1.8 to 1.2 (i.e. allowable stacking mass on the plate x 1.8/1.2 = stacking mass permitted for the journey).

Parent topic: Annex – Revised Recommendations on Harmonized Interpretation and Implementation of the International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972, as Amended
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