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I'm going to build this structure as is. This question is not the same as my earlier post as I am not seeking any more design advice as in the previous.

I will not make any more changes to it.

My question is "How much weight will it hold". The goal is to put a bed on top of it that will support a 200 lb man.

Please no more design ideas. I just want to know how much weight it will support.

50lbs? , 100lbs?, 200lbs?

Thanks.

It will be completely built with 2" by 6" by 8' whitewood dimensional lumber from Home Depot and one piece of standard 1/2" plywood.

The casters are rated for about 250 lbs each and placed at the 4 corners shaded black.

Quantitatively, what is an estimate of how much this will hold?

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  • I built bunk beds of about those dimensions and the 1/2 plywood held over 300 pounds ( two people) by itself . The plywood was supported only on the perimeter by 1 " angle iron. Oct 8, 2019 at 19:17
  • Do you remember the width of the span on the bunk bed by chance?
    – foo
    Oct 8, 2019 at 19:25
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    We can not answer that for you. If you are going to build it "regardless of the weight it will hold" then build it and put weight on it until it fails and then you will know the answer.
    – Alaska Man
    Oct 8, 2019 at 19:25
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    Turn the 2x 's so they are not flat, put plywood on both sides. strong.
    – Alaska Man
    Oct 8, 2019 at 19:27
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    OP needs to understand how stack exchange works, Answers are for questions that can be answered, not "best guess's" Ask a question that can be answered, do not post a series of design changes so you can refine your plan.
    – Alaska Man
    Oct 8, 2019 at 20:21

1 Answer 1

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The question leaves too many unknown factors for an estimate, even using lumber loading tables. Some that come to mind:

  • Load concentration: If most of the weight is transferred through to the casters, it'll carry whatever the casters tolerate. If the load is mushy, the failure point would be at the center of the span.
  • Dynamic forces due to movement: Will you be rolling the thing around under load? What sort of surface will this be on? Impact forces from bumps greatly reduce load limits.
  • Lumber selection: Wood species, grain quality, and integral flaws (knots, pitch pockets) could all lead to failure at a weak point.

  • Build quality: Your carpentry plays a role, as does the type and number of fasteners used.

It'll carry at least a few hundred pounds if built fairly well. Asking for a true load rating isn't reasonable, though.

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  • Good answer. Will not move under load. Dynamic load only comes from the person. This is dimensional whitewood from Home Depot picked by hand. Will use either wood screws or bolts with washers to connect it all. Probably bolts as I can replace parts if needed.
    – foo
    Oct 8, 2019 at 19:23

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