{"id":191665,"date":"2024-03-01T09:49:53","date_gmt":"2024-03-01T08:49:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rothschenk.de\/episode-41-the-k-factor-and-safety-factor\/"},"modified":"2025-06-30T17:01:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T15:01:06","slug":"episode-41-the-k-factor-and-safety-factor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rothschenk.de\/en\/episode-41-the-k-factor-and-safety-factor\/","title":{"rendered":"Episode 41: The K-factor and safety factor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/a>It is a generally known fact that with the tie-down lashing method, some circumstances that cannot be precisely weighed up by the user can influence the securing force. One of these circumstances is the distribution of the pre-tensioning force (STF) from the ratchet side to the opposite side of the load. <\/p>\n\n

Most of those involved know from their gut feeling that less arrives on the opposite side than on the ratchet side. The question that immediately arises is: how much power is lost and can I calculate this? <\/p>\n\n

This is precisely where the discussion between supporters of EN-12195-1 and VDI-2700ff begins. Both sides are staffed with experts, with the difference that only Germans are involved in the VDI-2700ff, but those from 27 countries are involved in the EN-12195-1. Unfortunately, those involved on both sides lose sight of the driver and the shipper, who are supposed to put the sometimes very theoretical considerations into practice. <\/p>\n\n

In the following article, I will try to clear up the jungle a little and present it in a way that is easy to grasp for practitioners. I hope I succeed. But even I am not infallible. <\/p>\n\n

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The tie-down lashing method<\/h2>\n\n
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With the tie-down lashing method, a belt is placed over the load, the hooks of the fixed and loose ends are hooked in and then the pre-tensioning force is applied with the ratchet. The percentages in the diagram are fictitious and are only intended to show that the pretensioning force applied over the corners of the load is becoming less and less. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of how high the preload force is, it is generally divided into at least three areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n