Wood pallets serve as interfaces between packaged
products and transport vehicles. vertical vibrations are
transmitted through pallets into unit-loads. Pallet
response to forced vibration affects forces experienced by
products. A study was conducted to determine how pallet
design influenced the resonant response of a uniformly
distributed case goods unit-load. other studies were
conducted to develop a pallet section model to emulate the
response of three stringer wood pallets to forced vibration.
This model was used to investigate the effects of joint
stiffness, deckboard EI, and uniformly distributed load
level on the resonant response of pallet decks. Pallets
were found to lower unit-load resonant frequencies and
increase transmissibilities at resonance. Pallet sections
constructed with stiff decks and joints were found to have
higher resonant frequencies and lower transmissibilities
than sections constructed with less stiff deck components.
To prevent pallets from elevating acceleration transmitted
through unit-loads, pallets should be constructed with the
stiffest decks and joints that are economically feasible.
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