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Box Compression Calculator — McKee BCT & Stack Height

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Unit system Edge crush test (ECT) Imperial: lb/in. Metric: kN/m. Use measured/specification ECT.Combined board caliper Imperial: inches. Metric: millimetres.Box length Box width Loaded box weight Imperial: lb. Metric: kg.Entered safety factor Project assumption; choose for your validated environment.Planned boxes high (optional) Whole boxes in one vertical column; 0 disables comparison.

Calculated result

579.6 lbf estimated BCT

144.9 lbf allowable top load at 4× entered safety factor

Estimated maximum column: 6 loaded boxes including the bottom box

Planned 6-box column uses 86.3% of entered allowable top-load capacity

Show the working

1. Perimeter = 2 × (16 + 12) = 56 in.
2. Simplified McKee: BCT = 5.87 × 32 × √(0.17 × 56) = 579.6 lbf.
3. Allowable top load = 579.6 ÷ 4 = 144.9 lbf.
4. Maximum boxes above bottom = floor(144.9 ÷ 25) = 5; column total = 6.

Engineering screening estimate for conventional corrugated RSC-style boxes, not a compression-test certificate. Humidity, storage creep, overhang, interlocked stacking, openings, damage and manufacturing variation can materially reduce strength. Validate critical packaging with physical compression/stack testing and supplier guidance.

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