CDL Practice Tests: Flatbed Cargo Securement
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Go!When calculating directional forces, 'g' is expressed as:
- The acceleration due to gravity, 9.823 m/sec2 (32.2 ft/sec2). For cargo securement purposes it is expressed as a percentage of cargo weight, i.e. .5g is 50% of force of gravity or 50% of cargo weight.
- The maximum load that may be applied to a component of a cargo securement system during normal service, usually assigned by the manufacturer of the component.
- The summation of the working load limits or restraining capacity of all devices used to secure an article on a vehicle.
- The maximum load that may be applied to a component of a cargo securement system during normal service, usually assigned by the manufacturer of the component.
g:
The acceleration due to gravity, 9.823 m/sec2 (32.2 ft/sec2). For cargo securement purposes it is expressed as a percentage of cargo weight, i.e. .5g is 50% of force of gravity or 50% of cargo weight.
A female housing fixed to the side or ends of a vehicle to receive a stake or peg, and may also be used as an anchor point is a:
- Void filler
- Bulkhead
- Stake pocket
- Cleat
Stake Pocket:
A female housing fixed to the side or ends of a vehicle to receive a stake or peg, and may also be used as an anchor point.
A sided vehicle containing cargo weighing 35,980 lbs must be able to withstand a rearward force of at least:
- 28,784 lbs
- 17,990 lbs
- 10,000 lbs
- 36,000 lbs
Note: If the cargo is contained in a sided vehicle, the vehicle structure MUST be strong enough to withstand the forces described earlier.
- Forward force: 0.8 g (80%)
- Rearward force: 0.5.g (50%)
- Sideways force: 0.5 g (50%)
Which of the following is not a requirement for shortwood loaded lengthwise?
- Each outside log bearing against stakes should extend at least 6 in beyond the stakes at each end.
- Logs should be centered in the bunk.
- Heavier logs must be stacked on top.
- Must be cradled in a bunk or contained by stakes.
Requirements for shortwood loaded lengthwise
- Shortwood must be cradled in a bunk or contained by stakes.
- Logs should be centered in the bunk.
- Each outside log bearing against stakes should extend at least 0.15 m (6 in) beyond the stakes at each end.
As part of the log packing requirements:
- Each inside log on the side of a stack of logs must touch at least two bunks, bolsters, stakes, or standards.
- Outer bottom logs must be in contact with and rest solidly against bunks, bolsters, stakes, or standards.
- The center of the highest log on each side or end must be above the top of each stake, bunk, or standard.
- Logs must be loosely packed.
Packing requirements
- Logs must be solidly packed.
- Outer bottom logs must be in contact with and rest solidly against bunks, bolsters, stakes, or standards.
-
Each outside log on the side of a stack of logs must touch at least two bunks, bolsters, stakes, or standards. If one end of the log doesn't touch a stake:
- It must rest on other logs in a stable manner.
- It must extend beyond the stake, bunk, bolster, or standard.
- The center of the highest log on each side or end must be below the top of each stake, bunk, or standard.
How much force is the securement system required to withstand in terms of cargo weight?
- 50% forward, 20% rearward, 50% sideways, 20% upwards.
- 80% forward, 50% rearward, 80% sideways, 20% upwards.
- 50% forward, 50% rearward, 50% sideways, 80% upwards.
- 80% forward, 50% rearward, 50% sideways, 20% upwards.
How strong must the vehicle structure and anchor points be?
All elements of the vehicle structure and anchor points must be strong enough to withstand the forces described on page 7.
- Forward force: 0.8 g (80%)
- Rearward force: 0.5.g (50%)
- Sideways force: 0.5 g (50%)
- Upward force: 0.2 g (20%)
Cargo is contained when:
- It is loaded on the end of the truck.
- it fills a sided vehicle, and every article is in contact with or sufficiently close to a wall or other articles so that it cannot shift or tip if those other articles are also unable to shift or tip.
- It is packed in a square box.
- It fills a void between articles of cargo and the structure of the vehicle that has sufficient strength to prevent movement of the articles of cargo.
Contained:
Cargo is contained if it fills a sided vehicle, and every article is in contact with or sufficiently close to a wall or other articles so that it cannot shift or tip if those other articles are also unable to shift or tip.
When securing concrete bell pipe in multiple complete tiers, all of the following are true except:
- Bells of the bottom tier must all be on the same side of the vehicle
- All of these apply.
- Stack the tiers in pyramid fashion.
- Bells of the upper tiers must all be on the opposite side of the vehicle from the bells of the tier below.
More than one tier with complete tiers
Bells of the bottom tier must all be on the same side of the vehicle
Bells of the upper tiers must be are on the opposite side of the vehicle from the bells of the tier below.
The definition for "shortwood" identifies pieces that are no longer than:
- 75 in
- Half the length of the trailer.
- The width of the road.
- 16 ft
Shortwood
- Normally up to about 2.5 m (100 in) in length.
- No longer than 4.9 m (16 ft) in length.
-
Also called:
- Cut-up logs
- Cut-to-length logs
- Bolts
- Pulpwood
What is the minimum weight of a load of metal coils that requires specific securement practices?
- 5,000 lbs
- 50,000 lbs
- 2,268 lbs
- It depends on the size of the coils.
Size of coil
All metal coil shipments that, individually or together, weigh 2,268 kg (5,000 lb.) or more must be secured according to the specific requirements in this section.
Exception: Metal coils that weigh less than 2,268 kg (5,000 lb.) may be secured according to general securement requirements.
About The Flatbed Cargo Securement CDL Manual
Studying the flatbed cargo securement CDL manual is not a requirement for getting your CDL permit or license. It is required knowledge for flatbed drivers.
Some questions you should be able to answer for flatbed cargo securement:
- What is the minimum Working Load Limit of a tiedown used to secure logs?
- What is the minimum weight of a shipment of paper rolls that would require specific securement requirements?
- When securing concrete pipe over 45 inches loaded crosswise, which direction must the tiedowns on the front half of the load run?
- What is a cab shield?
- When securing concrete pipe over 45 inches loaded crosswise, which direction must the tiedowns on the rear half of the load run?
- What is a dunnage bag?
- Who is responsible for inspecting securing devices and cargo within the first 50 miles?
- How many tiedowns are required on a stack of shortwood loaded crosswise?
- What is the minimum working load limit of each tiedown used to secure crushed or flattened vehicles?
- Define 'bolster'
- What is a hook-lift container?
- When a tiedown is attached directly to the cargo, what is the ideal angle where it attached to the vehicle?
What is a securing device?
Any device specifically manufactured to attach or secure cargo to a vehicle or trailer:
- Synthetic Webbing
- Chain
- Wire rope
- Manila rope
- Synthetic rope
- Steel strapping
- Clamps and latches
- Blocking
- Front-end structure
- Grab hooks
- Binders
- Shackles
- Winches
- Stake pockets
- D-rings
- Webbing ratchet
- Bracing
- Friction mat
What is a tiedown?
A combination of securing devices that forms an assembly that:
- Attaches cargo to, or restrains cargo on a vehicle.
- Is attached to anchor point(s).
Some tiedowns are attached to the cargo and provide direct resistance to restrain the cargo from movement.
Some tie-downs pass over or through the cargo. They create a downward force that increases the effect of friction between the cargo and the deck. This friction restrains the cargo.
Related Cargo Securement Terms That Every Driver Should Know:
-
Tiedown:
A combination of securing devices which form an assembly that attaches cargo to, or restrains cargo on, a vehicle or trailer, and is attached to anchor point(s).
-
Contained:
Cargo is contained if it fills a sided vehicle, and every article is in contact with or sufficiently close to a wall or other articles so that it cannot shift or tip if those other articles are also unable to shift or tip.
-
Blocking:
A structure, device, or another substantial article placed against or around an article to prevent horizontal movement of the article.
How should tiedowns be attached?
Tiedowns can be used in two ways:
-
Attached to the cargo:
- Tiedowns attached to the vehicle and attached to the cargo.
- Tiedowns attached to the vehicle, pass through or aroundan article of cargo, and then are attached to the vehicle again.
-
Pass over the cargo:
- Tiedowns attached to the vehicle, passed over the cargo, and then attached to the vehicle again.
Tiedown placement:
Place the tiedown as close as possible to the spacer.
Position the tiedowns as symetrically as possible over the length of the article.
Position the tiedowns to preserve the integrity of the article.
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