Abstract: Longitudinal beams span between torque boxes located at each end. The beams attach to the torque boxes to prevent vertical movement or rotation about their horizontal axis, or a fixed end condition. The longitudinal beams cover the width of a platform used to support pallets, and the ends may have wheels for transport of the pallets. The torque box attaches to a moment beam to prevent rotation between the two members about the lateral axis. The torque box has a high strength to transmit all of the moment generated by the end condition through it and into the moment beam. This fixed end condition has the advantages of light weight, low deflection, and low beam depth.

Abstract: In a pressurized railway hopper car vertical and horizontal reinforcement members are strategically located relative to the car side plate to counteract the moment M caused by the internal pressure applied to the side sheets and to the roof. The vertical reinforcement member is spaced inwardly from the shear center of the side plate a distance determined by dividing the value of the moment M by the vertical component of the membrane pressure loads applied to the roof and to the side sheet. Horizontally extending reinforcements are provided extending between the laterally spaced side plates which are attached to the side plates at approximately the shear center of the side plate. With the horizontal and vertical members thus located, the vertical and horizontal reinforcing members will carry substantially axial loads only, essentially eliminating bending, and thus may be of reduced size as compared to the size which would be required if these members also carried bending loads.