On May 27, 18:18, der Mouse wrote:
  >> So I'd say that you should never use
particle board to carry 
loads.
  > Manufacturers of computer room raised floors will
disagree with 
that
  > -- all the high-load ones I've ever coma
across are made of 
particle
  > board (usually with a very thin metal cladding,
which is to protect
 > against moisture and impacts, and to provide electrical 
continuity).
   Of course,
these are 35mm-45mm thick, not 15mm-18mm. 
 They also are supported around the whole edge of a two-foot-square
 square. 
 
Eh?  They're supported at the corners only.  Some do have metal
cladding round the edges, but it's not very strong.
  If those shelves were supported every two feet -
especially if
 they used that kind of thickness - I bet they'd still be just fine.
 >From an engineering perspective, I'd say that particleboard is fine 
for
  carrying loads in the right circumstances, but it is
incumbent upon 
the
  designer to know what those circumstances are and
design accordingly. 
Agreed.
--
Pete                                            Peter Turnbull
                                                Network Manager
                                                University of York