Get to Know Your Pallet Rack Columns – Material, Shape & Design

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Pallet Rack System Design - Apex Cos.

Pallet rack columns provide the vertical structure in a storage racking system. The racking system is configured by connecting front and rear columns with struts to form uprights. Then beams are connected to the uprights to form the storage bays.

Columns can also provide independent vertical support (a.k.a. mono-post) in dense storage systems such as push-back, drive-in, pallet flow and for ASRS. System capacity, depth, height, and equipment interface will all have a bearing on the column style used in the pallet rack system design.

Roll-Formed vs. Structural Rack

Columns are manufactured from either structural or roll-formed steel. Known for its durability and resistance to forklift abuse, structural steel is hot-rolled to form solid C-channel pallet rack uprights.  Roll-formed uprights are cold rolled; sheets of cold steel are formed with rollers to create a variety of shapes to form the column.

Roll-Formed Column & Beam

Structural Rack Column & Beam

Both manufacturing processes create structurally sound, dependable rack components. The choice between the two depends on several factors, including warehouse activity, equipment interface, warehouse climate, seismic requirements, and cost. In general, structural steel rack systems are considered more impact-resistant, so they are often used in fast-paced operations, such as cold storage, beverage, food handling, or other high-volume warehouse facilities.

And the decisions don’t stop here. When defining your pallet rack system, the column design is another important consideration.

Rack Column Design – Open, Closed or Reinforced

As mentioned above, column shape and style are dependent on the manufacturing process and application requirements. Roll-formed products fit into the basic categories of Open, Closed, and Reinforced while structural designs are either Open, Boxed and Reinforced.

Pallet Rack Column Types - Apex Cos.

Roll-Formed Pallet Rack Column Styles

  • Open Column
  • Closed Column
  • Reinforced Column

Open Columns– styles of open columns include Ridg-U-Rak, Prest, Paltier, Omega and Redirack. Open columns are aptly named and are easily identifiable as they have one open side. Each column design has an open back while being closed on the other three sides. Holes are punched on the face of the column and down the sides to allow for beam and accessory connections.

Closed Columns – as the name suggests, this column is manufactured as a solid tube without a rear opening. Holes are punched on the face of the column and the side for beam and accessory connections. One unique type of closed column is a T-post. A T-post is easily recognizable by the T-shaped cross-section of the column.

Reinforced Columns – are essentially two columns welded together (front to back) to create a beefier column with more strength. Most of the time, the reinforcement only extends to a lower portion of the upright. Reinforced columns provide additional capacity and resistance to damage, particularly equipment strikes.

Pallet Rack Columns - Roll Formed - Apex Cos.

Open Column

Closed Column

Reinforced Column

Structural Pallet Rack Column Styles

  • Open C-Channel
  • Closed Boxed Column
  • Reinforced Column

Open C-channel – A structural steel pallet rack column is called a C-channel, appropriately named as it takes the shape of the letter C. Each column face is punched with round holes to allow for beams to be attached.

Closed Box Column – Welding two C-channel columns back to back creates a box column. Box columns help add reinforcement to protect against forklift damage and to add carrying capacity to the system. Typically, the box column extends up to 60” on the front column.

Reinforced Column – Another option to reinforce a structural column is to stack two C-channel columns front to back.

Pallet Rack Columns - Structural - Apex Cos.

Structural C-Channel

Boxed Structural Column

Reinforced Structural Rack

Need Help Defining Your Pallet Rack Specifications?

There’s a lot that goes into design your pallet rack system. If you need help getting started, give our experts a call!  Apex Companies is your full-service material handling and storage solutions provider. Our team works seamlessly across functions to provide exceptional customer support. Contact Us to discuss your warehousing storage, distribution, and operational needs.

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