Shared Load Structure in Raised Floor Systems: Everything You Need to Know

What is a Shared Load Structure?

A shared load structure is a steel structure that helps distribute the weight of heavy objects placed on a raised floor  to multiple points to reduce localized pressure.  This structure is designed to reduce localized pressure, allowing the building floor to receive the force in a balanced manner, reducing the chance of the floor cracking, warping, or being damaged, especially in cases where the weight applied to the raised floor exceeds the value that the original building floor can support.

This structure can be achieved by using a steel structure or shared load plate, which will provide better support than using a single pedestal system .

Normally, the floor beneath a raised floor (Raised Floor / Access Floor) has a limit on its weight capacity. If heavy equipment such as server cabinets, machinery or shelves are placed on the raised floor without a good weight distribution system, it may cause the floor to warp, crack or be damaged . Therefore, a weight distribution structure plays an important role in increasing the stability of the raised floor and preventing damage to the building floor.

A simple comparison of why a weight distribution structure is needed with a raised floor

Compared to daily life

High heels vs. wooden planks

• If you wear high heels and walk on soft ground, the heel of the shoe will sink in because the pressure is applied to a small point.
• But if you stand on a wooden plank, your weight is distributed evenly across the plank, preventing it from sinking.

Machinery on wet floors

• If you want to use an excavator to dig in a wet or waterlogged area, the vehicle may sink if you place the excavator directly in that spot.
• The solution is to place large steel plates or frames under the wheels to help distribute the weight → allowing the car to run on the ground without sinking.

✅ The weight distribution structure for raised floors works in the same way !

The backhoe uses a steel pontoon as a shared load structure to distribute the weight of the vehicle on muddy or slushy surfaces.	The backhoe uses steel plates as a shared load structure to distribute the weight of the vehicle on low-load bearing ground.	The backhoe uses a steel pontoon as a shared load structure to distribute the weight of the vehicle to stay afloat.

Load bearing comparison: with vs. without distributed load structure

Problems that may occur if there is no weight distribution structure

Floors can crack or buckle – due to compressive forces acting on small points.
Equipment on the floor can sag – such as server cabinets, machinery or large equipment  can be damaged if the raised floor cannot support the weight well enough.

Working principle of weight distribution structure

The weight distribution structure is designed to reduce point load and distribute the force over a wider area (Distributed Load) so that the raised floor can support the weight without damage.

The physics of weight distribution

The weight applied to the lift platform can be expressed as Force and Area.

• If the weight is high but the support area is distributed more widely, the local pressure will be reduced → reducing the risk of damage to the building floor.
• If the weight is applied to a small point, such as a server cabinet with 4 legs, the floor may buckle or fail.

✅ The distributed load structure allows the pressure from the equipment to be transmitted throughout the lift floor and transferred to the legs and connected to the shared load structure below.

Example of a problem if there is no weight distribution structure

Data Center

✅ Problem: Each server cabinet weighs hundreds of kilograms, but with four legs, the weight is pressed down on the raised floor, which can cause the building floor to crack, warp, or become damaged.
✅ Solution: Use a steel frame to help distribute the weight.

industrial plants

✅ Problem: Large machinery directly presses on the building floor, which may damage the building floor.
✅ Solution: Use weight-distributing steel plates or a steel foundation frame.

Electrical Control Room

✅ Problem: Electrical equipment is heavy and requires stability.
✅ Solution: Use steel support structures to support the floor for added stability.

What types of load distribution structures are used in raised floor systems?

1️⃣ Shared Load Plate

• It is a steel plate of the designed size  that is placed under the lifting platform or heavy equipment.
• Distribute force over a wider area, reducing pressure on specific areas.
• Used in applications where weight distribution is required in small areas, such as under server cabinets or heavy equipment.

2️⃣ Steel frame as a support base (Steel Subframe)

• It is a steel structure that is placed on the floor of the building before installing the raised floor.
• Distributes weight to the entire lifted floor, providing greater strength than using a single stand.
• Used in applications that require high weight support, such as data centers, server rooms, or industrial plants.

3️⃣ Steel Grid Framework

It is a steel structure designed in a grid pattern to help distribute force.

• Use with a raised floor stand to increase the floor's weight bearing capacity.
• It is a steel structure placed on the floor of the building before installing the raised floor.
• It is popularly used in applications that require high weight support, such as data centers, server rooms, industrial plants, or areas that require heavy machinery.

Shared Load Structure Steel Plate	Install Raised Floor Panel and Pedestal and Stringer Kits	Shared Load Structure Steel Grid Framework
Install the Raised Floor Panel and Pedestal and Stringer sets in their respective positions.	The installation of the raised floor kit will be in line with the position of the Steel Grid Framework.	After installing the Raised Floor, the bottom will be cleaned again.

Shared Load Structure with Steel Grid Framework

The steel structure supporting the raised floor helps distribute the weight to the building floor more than using the raised floor stand alone.

How does steel structure help transfer weight?

1️⃣ Weight from equipment placed on the raised floor → is distributed to the raised floor panels.
2️⃣ The raised floor panels transfer weight to the steel structure below.
3️⃣ The steel structure helps distribute weight to multiple points before transmitting force to the building floor.

✅ Advantages of using steel structures

• Directly reduce the pressure on the building floor
• Distribute weight to multiple points
• Increase the strength of the raised floor

Comparison of raised floors with normal stands VS steel structure support (Shared Load Structure) 

Design of steel structures suitable for raised floors

A. Steel structure design

✅ Grid Layout (Grid Steel Frame) – to help distribute force or distribute weight evenly
✅ Cross-Bracing – to prevent twisting of the structure

example

• If using 600x600 mm floor panels → Steel beams should be placed every 600 mm.
• If supporting very heavy machinery → additional steel frame must be added.

B. Transferring weight from the steel frame to the building floor

✅ The area where the steel frame touches the floor must be strong enough.
✅ Calculate the total weight to ensure that the building floor can support the total weight without the floor cracking.

example

• If the floor must support a server cabinet weighing 2,000 kg → the weight must be distributed evenly. If the original building floor was not designed to support the weight of the server cabinet, not just in certain areas.

C. How to connect the raised floor to the steel frame

✅ Use Epoxy Glue for stability in standard installations.
✅ If the area is subject to vibration → Use a removable fastening method or bolted connection for stability.

Practical application of shared load structure in raised floors

• Data Center – Supports the weight of server cabinets
• Server Room  – Helps support the weight  of server cabinets.
• Industrial plants – supporting heavy machinery
• Cleanroom / Laboratory – Vibration Reduction
• Earthquake-prone areas – Prevent floor deflection

How does the weight distribution structure work?

When heavy equipment is placed on the lift floor, its weight is distributed among the lift floor structure as follows:

1️⃣ Weight from equipment → distributed to the raised floor panels.
2️⃣ The raised floor panels transfer force to the legs or steel structure.
3️⃣ If there is a weight distribution structure → the weight will be distributed to multiple legs and down to the building floor.
4️⃣ Make the raised floor more stable, reducing the risk of floor damage.

Without a weight distribution structure

• Weight may be applied to only a few legs, causing the floor to deflect.
• If the weight is too much, the floor may crack.

How to design a structure that distributes weight appropriately

1️⃣ Calculate the weight that must be supported.

✅ Check the total weight of equipment such as servers, electrical cabinets or machinery.
✅ Check the weight bearing capacity of the original building floor.

2️⃣ Choose the appropriate structure type.

✅ If you need to support high weight → use a steel frame to support the raised floor.
 

3️⃣ Position the legs and steel beams properly.

✅ If using a raised floor panel size 600x600 mm. → Vertical and horizontal steel beams should be placed every 600 mm.

Summary: Why is Shared Load Structure important in raised floor systems?

✅ Helps distribute weight – reduces pressure points, reducing the risk of cracking or warping of the floor.

✅ Can support more weight – used in data centers and industrial plants

✅ Increase the strength of the building floor  – reduce the problem of deflection in cases where the weight exceeds the floor's bearing capacity.

✅  Supports high-load applications in areas  such as data centers, factories, and electrical control rooms.

✅ Reduces vibration – Ideal for laboratories and earthquake-prone areas

✅ Reduce the load on the building floor – allowing the building floor to bear the force in a balanced manner.

For further advice or to calculate the appropriate steel structure, contact BSP (2512). Our team of expert engineers will help you design and install the strongest raised floor system!