Weights and handling
Sheets of plasterboard a van can carry by payload
- where
- weight per sheet (kg)
- board weight (kg/m²)
- board width (mm)
- board length (mm)
- sheets within payload
- van payload (kg)
- other load carried (kg)
- board area carried (m²)
Explain this equation
Works out how many sheets of a given board a van can carry before it reaches its payload.
Ws is the sheet weight from the board weight q and the sheet size Wb × Lb. P is the van payload and Wo everything else being carried, such as people, tools and racking. Ns is the whole number of sheets that fit in what is left, and Am is the board area that represents.
The floor function ⌊ ⌋ rounds down because you cannot exceed the payload with a part sheet.
Sense check: with 800 kg free, standard 12.5 mm boards at about 24 kg give 32 sheets; 15 mm fire board at about 40 kg gives about 20.
Watch out: payload is not the only limit; axle loads, load length and securing the stack also matter.
How many sheets fit within a van's payload once the crew and tools are allowed for.
Enter your values to see the result.
Good to know
Payload is the gross vehicle weight less the kerb weight, from the VIN plate or handbook. People, tools, racking and anything else carried come off it before the boards. Use the data-sheet weight for the actual board: 15 mm acoustic or fire board at about 14 kg/m² is about 40 kg a sheet, so a van that takes 30-odd standard sheets takes barely 20 of those. Also check axle limits, the load bed length and that the stack is restrained.
Common mistake
Loading by space rather than weight: a small van can fill its payload with plasterboard long before it is full.
Limits
Weight only. Does not check axle loads, load distribution, dimensions or towing. Overloading is an offence and affects braking and insurance.
Sources
Results are calculations from the published methods and manufacturer figures shown, and depend on the data you enter. Always follow the manufacturers’ system and product data, BS 8212, BS EN 13914 and Building Regulations. Coverage rates vary by product, background and thickness. Check prices, VAT and CIS rules with your own records and HMRC.